# 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. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Fat Dormouse ![European Fat Dormouse](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Glis_glis_4058.JPG&width=800) Photo: Azay, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Glis_glis_4058.JPG) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Gliridae - **Genus:** Glis ## 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 - **Hibernation Champion:** European Fat Dormouse can sleep for up to seven months because storing lots of fat helps them survive winter. - **Tail Escape Artist:** European Fat Dormouse can shed its tail if caught, helping it escape from hungry predators! - **Night-Sight Climber:** 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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tawny-owl) (*Strix aluco*) — A common nocturnal predator. - **Eaten by:** [Pine Marten](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pine-marten) (*Martes martes*) — A swift arboreal hunter. - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — Predates in suburban areas. - **Eats:** Common Oak (*Quercus robur*) — Feeds on its nutritious acorns. - **Eats:** [Common Hazel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-hazel) (*Corylus avellana*) — Enjoys its protein-rich nuts. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Hibernating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/hibernating): Hibernating animals enter a state of metabolic depression during cold periods or when food is scarce, characterized by reduced body temperature and activity. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a dormouse in the wild, it's best to watch quietly from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify European Fat Dormouse? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is European Fat Dormouse? 13-19 cm ### How much does European Fat Dormouse weigh? 0.07-0.3 kg ### How long does European Fat Dormouse live? 5-9 years ### How fast can European Fat Dormouse move? 8 km/h ### What does European Fat Dormouse eat? An omnivore enjoying a varied menu of nuts, fruits, bark, and sometimes insects or eggs! ### Where is European Fat Dormouse usually found? Forests ### How does European Fat Dormouse hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Guilleries-Savassona Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/guilleries-savassona-natural-area) — Cataluña, ES · Park - [Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/aizkorri-aratz-natural-park) — País Vasco, ES · Park - [Cévennes National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cevennes-national-park) — Occitanie, FR · Park [View all places to see European Fat Dormouse](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/european-fat-dormouse) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [European Fat Dormouse: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-fat-dormouse)