# 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! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![European Garden Dormouse](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Eliomys_quercinus01.jpg&width=800) Photo: Arno Laurent, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eliomys_quercinus01.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Gliridae - **Genus:** Eliomys ## 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 - **Deep Sleep Ability:** European Garden Dormouse can enter a deep sleep called torpor, because this helps them save energy during cold or food-scarce times. - **Climbing Prowess:** European Garden Dormouse can climb trees and navigate branches with ease, because this helps them find food and escape predators high above. - **Tail Detachment:** 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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tawny-owl) (*Strix aluco*) — A common nocturnal predator that hunts dormice. - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — These clever hunters will prey on dormice if they can catch them. - **Eats:** [Ground Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](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. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [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, watch quietly from a distance. They are shy and like to be left alone. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify European Garden 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 Garden Dormouse? 10-17 cm ### How much does European Garden Dormouse weigh? 0.06-0.16 kg ### How long does European Garden Dormouse live? 2-5 years ### How fast can European Garden Dormouse move? 20 km/h ### What does European Garden Dormouse eat? These dormice are omnivores, munching on insects, snails, fruits, and even tiny eggs! ### Where is European Garden Dormouse usually found? Forests ### How does European Garden Dormouse hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Vesuvius National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/vesuvius-national-park) — IT · Park ## 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 Garden Dormouse: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-garden-dormouse)