Where does the hazel dormouse live?
The hazel dormouse lives in northern Europe and Asia Minor: its range covers almost all of Europe, except the northernmost regions and the Iberian Peninsula. It is the only dormouse native to the British Isles, which is why it is often called simply the "dormouse" in British sources. Ireland has no native dormouse, but 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.
What does the hazel dormouse eat?
Its diet varies greatly with the season: it eats buds, flowers, berries, seeds and insects. It is an essentially nocturnal animal that hibernates for nearly six months, from autumn to spring. It weighs 17 to 20 g, rising to 30 to 40 g just before hibernation.
Is the hazel dormouse endangered?
No: the IUCN lists it as Least Concern. But woodland habitat loss and management, together with the effects of climate change, are seen as material threats to its future. In south-east England, the edible dormouse, accidentally introduced, now has an established population.
