Fat dormouse (Glis glis)

Description

Fat dormouse fact file

• Description
• Biology
• Range
• Habitat
• Status
• Threats
• Conservation
• Find out more
• Glossary
• References
• Print factsheet

Fat dormouse description

The fat, or edible dormouse (Glis glis) was introduced to Britain in 1902 ⁽³⁾. This is a fairly large dormouse, with a very bushy tail and short, thick silvery grey fur which is white or yellowish-white underneath ⁽³⁾; overall it has a somewhat squirrel-like appearance ⁽²⁾. The hands and feet have hard pads, which are adaptations for climbing ⁽³⁾. The name 'edible' dormouse arose as the Romans used to eat them as a delicacy ⁽²⁾; the alternative name of 'fat' dormouse refers to the appearance of this species before it goes into hibernation ⁽⁴⁾. Furthermore, the Romans used to fatten these rodents on chestnuts and acorns inside clay pots called 'glisaries' or enclosures prior to eating them ⁽⁶⁾.

Also known as

Edible dormouse.

Synonyms

Myoxus glis.

French

Loir Gris.

Spanish

Lirón Gris.

Size

Head & body length: 12-20 cm ⁽²⁾

Tail length: 11-19 cm ⁽²⁾

Weight

70-250 g ⁽²⁾

Fat dormouse biology

The fat dormouse is nocturnal, and lives in groups with related individuals ⁽⁴⁾. Adapted for climbing and leaping through the tree canopy ⁽³⁾, this species feeds on nuts, fruit, bark and fungi as well as animal matter including insects, bird eggs and even small birds ⁽⁴⁾. The breeding season occurs between June and August, during this time, fighting between males may occur over access to females ⁽³⁾. Females attract males to mate with them by rubbing their anal area along the ground. This produces an odour trail, which the male sniffs and scent-marks ⁽⁵⁾. Whistling sounds also indicate readiness to mate. The male will pursue the female for a while; she may rebuff him aggressively, but when he gives up she often follows him, and mating occurs ⁽⁵⁾. Males usually leave the female after mating takes place in order to find more potential mates ⁽⁵⁾. Females produce one litter a year, consisting of two to nine young ⁽⁴⁾, typically in a nest inside a hollow tree ⁽³⁾, lined with grass, feathers and hairs ⁽⁵⁾. The young are born blind, naked and helpless, and are weaned by about four weeks of age ⁽³⁾. Mother and offspring seem to learn to recognise each other by exchanging saliva ⁽⁷⁾. The fat dormouse hibernates underground or in grass-lined hollows in trees from October to April ⁽⁴⁾. Towards the end of summer they begin to construct tunnels in the ground; they enter these tunnels to hibernate as soon as the weather begins to get cold, and groups of fat dormice have been found hibernating together ⁽⁵⁾.

Fat dormouse range

In Great Britain, the fat dormouse has a small distribution that is restricted to the Chiltern Hills, but its range is expanding. It occurs throughout central Europe ⁽⁴⁾, but has declined in many areas and is uncommon ⁽³⁾.

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Fat dormouse habitat

The fat dormouse inhabits mature broadleaved woodland, gardens, houses and orchards ⁽⁴⁾.

Fat dormouse status

The fat dormouse is classified as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN Red List ⁽³⁾.

Fat dormouse threats

This introduced species is considered to be a pest of orchards and forestry, as it can damage fruit crops and its habit of bark stripping is very destructive ⁽⁴⁾. In houses they can cause serious problems by chewing through wires and wood. They are therefore controlled in some areas ⁽⁴⁾. They have declined in many parts of the European range as a result of deforestation ⁽³⁾.

Fat dormouse conservation

In Great Britain there is no conservation action in place for the non-native fat dormouse ⁽⁴⁾.

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Find out more

For more on the fat dormouse:

• Macdonnald, D. W. & Tattersall, F. T. (2001) Britain's mammals- the challenge for conservation. The Wildlife Conservation research Unit, Oxford University. Available from
  www.wildcru.org

Authentication

This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
arkive@wildscreen.org.uk

Glossary

Hibernation

A winter survival strategy characteristic of some mammals in which an animal's metabolic rate slows down and a state of deep sleep is attained. Whilst hibernating, animals survive on stored reserves of fat that they have accumulated in summer. In insects, the correct term for hibernation is 'diapause', a temporary pause in development and growth. Any stage of the lifecycle (eggs, larvae, pupae or adults) may enter diapause, which is typically associated with winter.

Nocturnal

Active at night.

References

1. IUCN Red List (April, 2011)
   http://www.iucnredlist.org/
2. Burton, J. A. (1991) Field guide to the mammals of Britain and Europe. Kingfisher Books, London.
3. Fat dormouse, or edible dormouse. The dormouse hollow. (August 2002)
   http://www.glirarium.de/dormouse/dm-biology-glis.html
4. Macdonnald, D. W. & Tattersall, F. T. (2001) Britain's mammals- the challenge for conservation. The Wildlife Conservation research Unit, Oxford University.
   http://www.wildcru.org
5. Alderton, D. (1999) Rodents of the world. Blandford, London.
6. Animal Diversity Web (August 2002)
   http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/myoxus/m._glis.html
7. Macdonnald, D. W (2001) The New Encyclopedia of Mammals. Oxford University Press, Oxford.