Hazel Dormouse

Meet the hazel dormouse, perhaps one of the UK’s cutest wildlife species! You’ve probably never seen one of these guys in the wild as they spend most of the day fast asleep! They are arboreal meaning they spend all their time up in the trees and hedge rows climbing about looking for nuts and berries to feast on. Dormice are also a highly protected species here because of declines in their population due to habitat loss and climate change. 

• Taxonomy: Mammal
• Size: Around 6cm in length and 15-40g in weight
• Life span: Up to 5 years
• When to see: April to October

Fun facts:

Hazel dormice spend most of their lives asleep in some form, from hibernation to torpor these guys love snoozing. They have also been heard snoring on occasion!

How to identify:

It is easy to tell if you have found a hazel dormouse from the gingery colour of their fur, large eyes, and long fluffy tail. The tail is a big giveaway as no other similar species has a fluffy tail!

How to see them:

You are unlikely to ever see a dormouse in the wild unless you are extremely lucky! However, several organisations and wildlife charities hold public dormouse surveys and events where you can join a survey to see a dormouse in the wild!

Photography tips:

Given the difficulty in seeing a hazel dormouse in the wild, if you really want to photograph one, I suggest contacting local wildlife charities to see if you can join a dormouse box survey. All my photographs of dormice so far have been taken whilst on dormouse checks as part of my training for a licence.  

*I make a note of never handling or trapping species I’m trying to photograph- wildlife photography should NEVER jeopardise the welfare and health of an animal.