Common Dormouse

About the Common Dormouse

The hazel dormouse or common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) is a small dormouse species native to Europe and the only living species in the genus Muscardinus. The hazel dormouse is native to northern Europe and Asia Minor. It is the only dormouse native to the British Isles, and is therefore often referred to simply as the "dormouse" in British sources, although the edible dormouse, Glis glis, has been accidentally introduced and now has an established population in South East England. Though Ireland has no native dormouse, the hazel dormouse was discovered in County Kildare in 2010, and appears to be spreading rapidly, helped by the prevalence of hedgerows in the Irish countryside.

The United Kingdom distribution of the hazel dormouse can be found on the National Biodiversity Network's website. Woodland habitat loss and management, together with the effects of climate change, are seen as material threats to their future status. Its population is estimated to have declined by 72% from 1993 to 2014.

According to English Nature's Dormouse Conservation Handbook, hazel dormice are "particularly associated with deciduous woodland" but also... Wikipedia →