Forest dormice

The forest dormice, genus Dryomys, are a genus of dormouse found throughout much of Eurasia. They are usually found in forests or thickets.

Forest dormouse
Temporal range: Middle Pleistocene - Recent
Dryomys nitedula.jpg
Dryomys nitedula
Scientific classification
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Dryomys

Thomas, 1906
Species

Dryomys laniger
Dryomys niethammeri
Dryomys nitedula

The length of the head and body is 8–13 cm (3.1–5.1 in), and the length of the tail is 6–11 cm (2.4–4.3 in). The animals weigh 18–36 g (0.63–1.27 oz).

Natural history

These dormice hibernate in tree hollows or in burrows. At night they nest in low branches or shrubs. They spend most of their lives in trees. They are nocturnal animals.

They are omnivorous feeding on seeds, acorns, buds, invertebrates, eggs, and baby birds.

Forest dormice in southern areas breed from March to December. Forest dormice in northern areas breed from May to August. Gestation takes 21-30 days and 2-5 young are born at a time.

Species

References

  • Duff, A. and A. Lawson. 2004. Mammals of the World A Checklist. New Haven, Yale University Press.
  • Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World, Vol. 2. Johns Hopkins University Press, London.