Language
Country/Area
No result found
A peek into the secret life of the yellow hazel dormouse: how do they survive their long hibernation?
The yellow hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius), this charming small mammal, may be an unfamiliar name to many people, but their lifestyle is full of mystery and surprise. As the only extant yellow hazel dormouse species in Europe, how their hibernation behavior helps them survive the long cold season has become an important issue for ecologists and animal lovers to explore.
Distribution and habitat
The yellow hazel dormouse is mainly distributed in Northern Europe and Asia Minor. It is the only dormouse species in the UK. Although there are no native dormice in Ireland, the yellow hazel dormouse was discovered in County Kildare in 2010 and appears to be spreading rapidly, aided by hedgerows common in the Irish countryside. According to a 2020 study, the yellow hazel dormouse population in the UK has declined by 51% since 2000, with the main threats coming from forest habitat loss, poor management and climate change.
The yellow hazel dormouse is thought to inhabit mainly deciduous forests, but will also be found in hedges and shrubs.
Appearance features
The body length of the yellow hazel dormouse is about 10 cm, and the length of the tail can reach 6 cm. Their weight usually ranges from 17 to 20 grams, but can increase to 30 to 40 grams before hibernating. This small mammal's coat color ranges from reddish brown to golden brown, with large, dark eyes, small and underdeveloped ears, and a long, fully furred tail. As nocturnal animals, the yellow hazel dormouse spends most of its time in trees in search of food and avoids being on the ground to avoid exposure to predators.
Behavioral characteristics
During months with cooler temperatures, such as October or November, the yellow hazel dormouse enters hibernation, often seeking shelter around tree roots or in thick leaf litter. Yellow hazel dormice live almost exclusively in trees, but they are less resistant to crossing open areas than previously thought. After waking up in the spring, yellow hazel dormice use fresh plant material to build cozy nests. When the weather is cold or food is scarce, they enter a state called "lethargy," which allows them to conserve energy.
The yellow hazel dormouse spends most of its life sleeping or hibernating, an adaptive behavior that helps it survive in harsh environments.
Eating habits
The yellow hazel dormouse's diet consists mainly of berries, nuts and other fruits, especially hazelnuts. Affected by the food source, the yellow hazel dormouse needs to store enough fat before hibernation, so hazelnuts become the main food source. Additionally, they introduce buds and flowers from other plants, as well as insects such as aphids and caterpillars, as part of their daily diet.
Ecological threats
Threats to the yellow hazel dormouse include predators such as foxes, wild boars, martens, owls and domestic cats. They may be disturbed by wild boars during hibernation. In addition, due to insufficient food sources, such as regular pruning of hedges, which will affect their food supply, coupled with climate warming, living conditions have become more difficult.
Conservation status
According to the UK's Wildlife and Countryside Act, the yellow hazel dormouse is a protected species, which has also attracted widespread attention and conservation actions from ecologists and environmental organizations.
Evolutionary History
The evolutionary history of the yellow hazel dormouse can be traced back to the middle Miocene, with fossils dating from approximately 13.8 million to 11.6 million years ago found in what is now Spain. Fossils of the modern yellow hazel dormouse first appeared during the Early Pleistocene.
The ecological behavior and adaptability of the yellow hazel dormouse demonstrate the wonders of nature. What will be their future?
