Forest dormice

For the species (Dryomys nitedula), see Forest dormouse.

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
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Rodentia
Family:	Gliridae
Subfamily:	Leithiinae
Genus:	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

• Woolly dormouse - Dryomys laniger
• Niethammer's dormouse - Dryomys niethammeri
• Forest dormouse - Dryomys nitedula

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.