European Fat Dormouse

Glis glis

The European Fat Dormouse is a cute, fluffy animal that loves to sleep! It has a big, round body and a bushy tail. They are mostly active at night and enjoy munching on fruits and nuts.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The European Fat Dormouse has soft, grey fur on its back and sides, contrasting with a clean white belly. It has noticeably large, dark eyes and small, round ears, with a long, bushy tail similar to a squirrel's, but slightly flatter.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderRodentiaFamilyGliridaeGenusGlis

European Fat Dormouse

Interesting facts

Ancient Romans considered them a tasty treat and even farmed them!

Its scientific name, Glis glis, literally means "dormouse dormouse"!

These amazing sleepers can wake up every few weeks during hibernation.

They make a variety of squeaks and chirps to chat with each other in the dark.

Special abilities

European Fat Dormouse can sleep for up to seven months because storing lots of fat helps them survive winter.

European Fat Dormouse can shed its tail if caught, helping it escape from hungry predators!

European Fat Dormouse has large eyes and sharp claws that help them navigate trees and find food in the dark.

Measurements & details

Length: 13-19 cm
Weight: 0.07-0.3 kg
Lifespan: 5-9 years
Top Speed: 8 km/h
Litter Size: 2-11
Gestation: 25-32 days

Diet & Feeding

An omnivore enjoying a varied menu of nuts, fruits, bark, and sometimes insects or eggs!

Primary Foods

Hazelnuts
Acorns
Apples
Bark
Beetles
Bird eggs

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Tawny Owl

Strix aluco

A common nocturnal predator.

eaten by

Pine Marten

Martes martes

A swift arboreal hunter.

eaten by

Domestic Cat

Felis catus

Predates in suburban areas.

eats

Common Oak

Quercus robur

Feeds on its nutritious acorns.

eats

Common Hazel

Corylus avellana

Enjoys its protein-rich nuts.

Traits

Furry

Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.

Social

Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.

Herbivorous

This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.

Forest

Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

Hibernating

Hibernating animals enter a state of metabolic depression during cold periods or when food is scarce, characterized by reduced body temperature and activity.