Fat dormouse  (Glis glis)

The fat, or edible dormouse 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).