European Garden Dormouse

Eliomys quercinus

The European Garden Dormouse is a small, cute animal that loves to sleep and eat fruits and nuts. It has a fluffy tail and big eyes, making it look very adorable!

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The European Garden Dormouse has soft grey-brown fur on its back and a white belly. A striking black mask surrounds its large eyes, making it look like a tiny bandit. Its long, bushy tail has a distinctive black and white tip.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderRodentiaFamilyGliridaeGenusEliomys

European Garden Dormouse

Interesting facts

Their scientific name, *Eliomys quercinus*, translates to 'mouse of the oak tree.'

These dormice often build cozy nests inside old tree holes or abandoned bird boxes.

They are quite vocal, using many squeaks and whistles to communicate!

They can twist their hind feet backward to climb down trees headfirst, super cool!

Special abilities

European Garden Dormouse can enter a deep sleep called torpor, because this helps them save energy during cold or food-scarce times.

European Garden Dormouse can climb trees and navigate branches with ease, because this helps them find food and escape predators high above.

European Garden Dormouse has a tail that can detach if grabbed, because this helps them escape from predators by leaving a distraction.

Measurements & details

Length: 10-17 cm
Weight: 0.06-0.16 kg
Lifespan: 2-5 years
Top Speed: 20 km/h
Litter Size: 2-7
Gestation: 21-28 days

Diet & Feeding

These dormice are omnivores, munching on insects, snails, fruits, and even tiny eggs!

Age differences: Young feed on mother's milk, gradually adding solid foods as they grow.

Primary Foods

Insects
Snails
Berries
Nuts
Bird eggs

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Tawny Owl

Strix aluco

A common nocturnal predator that hunts dormice.

eaten by

Red Fox

Vulpes vulpes

These clever hunters will prey on dormice if they can catch them.

eats

Ground Beetle

Carabus nemoralis

One of many insect species the dormouse loves to munch on.

eats

Raspberry

Rubus idaeus

Dormice enjoy the sweet berries of this common plant.

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.

Arboreal

Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.

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.