Japanese dormouse  (Glirulus japonicus)

Description

Dormice are the intermediates, in form and behaviour, between mice and squirrels, and this attractive Japanese dormouse is the only species in the genus Glirulus (3). It has soft and thick, pale olive brown fur, with a dark brown or black stripe running along its back. In front of the ears is a tuft of longer hair, and the bushy tail is flattened from top to bottom (2). The four digits of the forefeet and the five digits of the hindfeet have short, curved claws, and the undersides of the feet have a cushion-like covering, all enabling the dormouse to grip to branches and move around trees with great agility (3).

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