This funny little animal, so similar to either a squirrel or a hamster, is called hazel dormouse(lat. Muscardinus avellanarius). She became “Oreshnikova” because she lives where there are a lot of different nuts, and she was nicknamed “sleepyhead” because she likes to take a nap during the day.
This is one of the smallest representatives of the dormouse family. The body length of an adult animal is only 7-9 cm with a weight of 27 g. The tail with a brush is long, almost equal to the length of the body (6-7.7 cm). It is evenly covered with short, soft hair. The hazel dormouse has a blunt muzzle with very large vibrissae, the length of which sometimes reaches 40% of the body length. The ears are small and rounded.
The head, back and tail of the animal are ocher-red, sometimes with a reddish tint. The belly and the inside of the legs are yellowish, the chest and lower part of the body are often decorated with white spots. Large and almost round black eyes.
The hazel dormouse lives in Europe and northern Turkey, and can also be seen in southern Sweden and the UK. In general, this cute rodent is quite common in southern Europe, only in hot Spain it is not. In Russia, the little dormouse is extremely rare. If you're lucky, you can see it in broad-leaved and mixed forests of the middle zone.
The main condition for the habitation of hazel dormouse is the presence of a dense undergrowth of hazel, mountain ash, wild rose, viburnum, bird cherry and other trees and shrubs that can produce crops in different time of the year. In addition, a shy animal loves very much when there are many shelters around where you can hide from terrible predators.
flickr/kleinsaeuger.at
Hazel dormouse builds several residential nests, placing them in hollows of trees or simply on branches at a height of 1-2 meters. On occasion, he willingly occupies birdhouses, nest boxes or titmouses, not particularly worrying whether someone already lives there or not. From the antics of an impudent animal, mainly small birds suffer, which are not able to fight back.
Dormouse is a territorial animal, while the personal territories of females never intersect with each other, while the male's territory always passes through several females' territories.
During the daytime, the dormouse sleeps in one of its nests. At nightfall, she goes out in search of food. Interestingly, the animal does not immediately leave the shelter. First, he sticks his muzzle out and quickly moves his vibrissae, checking if there is anyone suspicious nearby. Then the dormouse goes to the nearest branch and begins to take care of her toilet.
After a good cleaning, hazel dormouse goes to full of dangers night travel. A few hours before dawn, full and satisfied, she returns home. The animal feeds on linden nuts, acorns, nuts, beech and other seeds of broad-leaved species. In addition, she willingly eats berries, fruits, young spring buds and shoots. Sometimes her diet includes bird eggs.
In winter, hazel dormouse hibernates. To do this, she arranges a warm and reliable nest on the ground or underground, using root weaves, holes of other rodents, and sometimes even old tires or tin cans. Of course, the animal insulates them with bunches of dry grass, feathers, wool and simply gnawed leaves. The life span of hazel dormouse in wild nature 2-3 years.
Forest dormouse - from lat. Dryomys nitedula is a rodent from the dormouse family, small in size (about 10 cm long) and small in weight (about 40 grams). The color of the coat is usually in gray tones, but in different habitats there may be different shades. The coat is short, soft and thick. The forest dormouse has a long fluffy tail (tail length - from 50 to 115 mm), which changes its color in case of danger, since it has a large number of blood vessels. The sharp muzzle and the shape of the ears resembles a squirrel, but without tassels on the ears, and, moreover, the forest dormouse is much smaller than the squirrel in size.
The forest dormouse lives mainly on a tree or in a bush, but it can also be seen on the ground. The average life expectancy is three years, but in good home conditions, forest dormouse can live up to five years. Forest dormouse loves berries and fruits, nuts and acorns, buds and bark of young shoots, tree seeds, insects and sometimes small animals: chicks, mice, voles and their cubs. It is predominantly nocturnal and active in the evening and at night, but at home it can reorganize. In winter, as a rule, forest dormouse hibernates. Males wake up earlier than females and feed heavily at first, trying to regain winter weight loss. Somewhere in a week, the females wake up and prepare for breeding. Basically, this happens in the spring, once a year, but, depending on the habitat, a second stage in the fall is possible. The gestation period in females takes about a month, childbirth, like other activities, mainly occurs at night.
Below - interesting photos forest dormouse:
Interesting facts about the life of forest dormouse
Forest dormouse is a rather rare animal, and in this regard, most of the species were listed in the Red Book, and some specimens appeared in living corners educational institutions and private owners. But, despite the liveliness of the nature of the forest dormouse, it is still not recommended for children as a pet. Taming a dormouse is a rather complicated process and the forest dormouse is unlikely to become an absolute pet.
Video: Forest dormouse on bait
Sonya is not only a characteristic of a person who loves to sleep, it is also the name of a cute animal, to which the adjective “kawaii” suggests itself. As a pet, dormouse has recently been confidently pushing stars such as chinchilla or dwarf. With the features of the content of this rodent, we will try to figure it out.
What does it look like?
The dormice or dormice family (Gliridae) belongs to the order of rodents. These are mostly small animals, but the body length of the largest species can reach 20 cm. Their tail, as a rule, is slightly shorter than the body. Some species lead a predominantly terrestrial lifestyle, they are distinguished by a half-naked or bare tail and are very similar in appearance to ordinary mice. Species that prefer life on trees have bushy tails and look like. Sometimes these animals are called rat squirrels, but they are completely different from rats. These small rodents are distributed over vast areas. They can be found in Europe, in northern Africa, in Minor and Central Asia, in the Altai mountains, in Japan. There is also a South African species. 
Did you know? The Japanese dormouse is the smallest in the dormouse family (body size up to 8 cm, weighs about 20 g) and has the ability to run upside down through the branches. It feeds mainly on nectar and pollen.
Oreshnikovaya
Of all the dormouse species, this species is most adapted to life on trees. The body length of the animal reaches 15 cm, the tail is fluffy, with a tassel at the end. The coat of the animal is red, with an ocher or reddish tinge. Below it is lighter, has a fawn tint. Hazel dormouse prefers deciduous and mixed forests. She usually arranges several nests on branches or in hollows. He likes to capture birdhouses, and he can expel the birds that have occupied them. The diet consists of plant foods: hazelnuts, chestnuts, acorns, beech and lime nuts, berries and fruits. In autumn, when the air temperature drops to +15 °C, hazel dormouse goes into hibernation, from which it wakes up in April or May.
Sadovaya
This type of dormouse can be identified by a pointed muzzle. The body length of the animal reaches 16 cm. It has a fluffy tail with a tassel at the end, the fur in the upper part of the body is gray or brown, white below, a black strip is observed from the eye to the ear. Favorite habitats of garden dormouse are old gardens, parks and deciduous forests. This species is omnivorous, its representatives, along with a variety of fruits and berries, eat insects, small rodents, chicks, and bird eggs. Nests are preferred to be built on branches or in hollows of trees. Winter hibernation lasts 5-6 months.
Lesnaya
Outwardly, this species resembles garden dormouse, but is smaller in size. The body length of an adult does not exceed 12 cm. The tail is fluffy, the color of the upper body is brownish or gray, the lower part is light gray or white. The head is decorated with a strip of dark fur that runs from the nose to the ear. The forest dormouse settles in broad-leaved or mixed forests, arranges dwellings in hollows, on branches, in abandoned bird nests. The animal is omnivorous, in addition to plant foods, such as various fruits, nuts, etc., it feeds on insects, destroys bird nests, eating eggs and even chicks. In autumn, hibernation begins, from which the animal emerges at the end of April or in May.
Polchok
This species is the largest of all dormouse. It can be mistaken for a small squirrel. In length, the body of the animal can reach 20 cm, its tail is fluffy, slightly less than the size of the body. Fur from above can be gray or gray-brown in color, from below the color changes to light gray or white. Dark rings may appear around the eyes. Dormouse dormouse loves broad-leaved and mixed forests. Prefers such areas of the forest, where there are a lot of wild fruit trees and shrubs with edible fruits (hazelnut, hawthorn, honeysuckle, etc.). Nests, as a rule, equip in hollows. Sometimes it can build a nest among stones or under fallen trees. Often settles in birdhouses, expelling birds from them. The regiment feeds exclusively on plant foods - fruits, seeds, berries. It hibernates in autumn, awakens only in May, and even in June.
Did you know? Aristotle described the dormouse and garden dormouse. He called these animals "eleos", which can be translated from ancient Greek as "beautiful" or "graceful".
Features of the content of the house
The necessary conditions
A spacious cage is suitable for keeping this little animal, and an aviary is even better. If the dimensions of the enclosure allow, then you can create elements of a natural landscape in it: line the bottom with moss, place thick branches inside, or even plant fruit bushes in pots. It is necessary to take care of the conditions for hibernation of the animal in advance - put a path in the form of a pipe segment into the prepared mink.
Important! Cleaning the cage or enclosure where the animals are kept should be done daily. Periodically it is necessary to carry out disinfection. Without these procedures, animals can get sick, and the cage will become a source of an unpleasant odor.
Requirements for the cage and its placement
The minimum size of a cage suitable for keeping dormouse is 50 × 30 × 30 cm. It must be made entirely of metal, otherwise the rodent will easily ruin it. The best cage shape is rectangular, which is easier to clean. The cage must be equipped with an autodrinker, a feeder, it is advisable to install a running wheel. Sawdust can be used as a filler. When placing a cage with these rodents, it should be taken into account that they are very active at night and the noise they make can interfere with people's sleep. In addition, the cage should be located in a place well lit by daylight, but it should not be exposed to direct sunlight. Do not place electrical devices and heating devices nearby. 
Pet feeding
The basis of the diet of domestic dormouse is plant foods. These are various fruits, nuts, cereals, grains. Periodically, animal food should be given: eggs, cottage cheese, boiled meat, insects. From insects, animals prefer flour worms. Animals eat often and in large quantities, this can even lead to unwanted obesity. However, on the eve of hibernation, excess fat will not hurt animals.
Caring for dormouse is simple, you only need to clean the cage daily, feed and water the animals on time. The animals are in good health, but they can get sick. Signs of the disease are the refusal of the animal to eat, untidy fur, apathy. In this case, you need to show the pet to the veterinarian.dormice reproduction
Dormouse's reproductive instinct wakes up in the spring, immediately after hibernation is completed. Females carry babies for 3-4 weeks. From 2 to 10 cubs are born. The feeding period lasts approximately 3 weeks. 
Important! Already at the age of 1 month, the cubs become sexually mature, at this age it is better to move them away from their parents. Otherwise, uncontrolled reproduction of animals may begin.
Sonya at home: pros and cons
In favor of home content, dormouse speaks of their good looks and simple rules care. The disadvantages can be considered predominantly nocturnal, the need for daily cleaning of the cage and falling into hibernation. As we have seen, Sonya is quite easy to keep as a pet. These handsome men can be a good alternative to such "stars" of zoo corners as or chinchillas.
Class: mammals.
Squad: rodents.
Family: dormouse.
Genus: The classification includes 9 genera.
Habitat in nature: in nature, there are 28 species of dormouse, most of which live from North Africa and Asia Minor to Altai, Northwest China and Japan, some species of the genus Graphiurus are isolated in Africa south of the Sahara, and are distributed in Europe to Southern Scandinavia. Most dormice are forest animals that prefer broad-leaved and mixed forests; they can be found in forest-steppe regions and in the mountains, where they settle at an altitude of up to 3500m. In Russia, there are 5 species of these rodents.
Lifespan: in nature 2-3 years, at home 4-6 years.
Averages: body length 8-20cm, tail 4-17cm. Weight depends on the type of animal, but does not exceed 70g.
Description
Dormouse is a small and medium rodent, with terrestrial forms more like mice, and arboreal ones like squirrels. The muzzle is sharp or slightly rounded (depending on the species), the ears are small, rounded, the eyes are bulging, round, large. The tail, as a rule, is densely pubescent, although there are species with a semi-naked tail. The coat is thick and soft, but short. The color depends on the species.
The coat on the back and sides may be gray to buffy-brown, the abdomen and paws may be lighter or white. Long, up to 20 percent of the body length, extremely mobile vibrissae, growing like a fan near the nose, are the main tactile organ for the dormouse.
Character
Dormouse are very sociable, lively, active and social animals. They prefer to live in the company of relatives, but at home they are best kept alone or in pairs. These rodents are very cautious and shy, afraid of loud or unexpected sounds, sudden movements. Hazel, African and dormouse-dormouse quickly get used to people, taming other species requires more attention and patience.
Relationships with other pets
Dormouse that has left the cage can be dangerous to smaller rodents, small birds and lizards. Cats, dogs, ferrets and large birds are dangerous to dormice.
Attitude towards children
Sony is not very suitable for children as pets.
Education
Dormouse, who appeared in the house in early age, get used to the person quite quickly, will expect your arrival with food and can get used to taking food from the hands. They can be taught to go out for a treat when called, but they most likely will not become completely tame.
Nutrition
For all types of dormouse, a diet is suitable, including sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, pine and walnuts, melon seeds, watermelon, pumpkin. It is useful to include apples in the diet of dormouse (an adult animal can eat a whole apple overnight), grapes, buds, branch bark, wild rose, dried mountain ash, viburnum, dry apricots. In summer, it is useful to reduce the number of oil seeds. Forest, garden and African dormice need animal food. They are suitable for mealworms, butterfly pupae, crickets, May bugs, snails, large cockroaches, sometimes they can be pampered raw meat, cottage cheese and eggs.
Care and maintenance
Of the species that live on the territory of Russia, at home they most often contain hazel, garden, forest and dormice. The African dormouse, which is called the pygmy dormouse because of its very small size, is also well suited for keeping as a pet. Hazel and African dormouse are well suited for cage keeping, dormouse can be kept both in a cage and in an aviary, but garden and forest dormouse are best kept in an aviary, where they can create a landscape reminiscent of their natural habitat.
When keeping sleepyheads in a cage, it is easier to communicate with them, it is more convenient to observe, they make better contact. It is advisable to choose a small-mesh, spacious and all-metal cage in order to avoid the unpleasant odor that impregnates the wooden parts of the cage, and various infections. They are well suited for squirrel cages with a spinning wheel, as these rodents have a very high need for movement. Existence in a cage of the sliding pallet considerably facilitates cleaning and cleaning. Sawdust, dry sand or small shavings can be used as bedding. It is necessary to put heavy bowls for food, a drinking bowl, preferably automatic, place various ladders, hollow pipes, a hammock in the cage, fix the ropes and the wheel and attach houses to the grate where the dormouse will make a nest. To equip the nest, they can be offered hay, straw, unpainted strips of paper, small twigs. Every day it is necessary to wash the food bowls and the drinking bowl, remove the leftover food; two, three times a week, the bedding should be changed, twice a month, a complete cleaning and disinfection of the cage is required. Disinfection can be carried out by spilling the cage with boiling water.
Dormouse do not like temperature differences, drafts and direct sunlight, so the cage should be placed at least 40 cm from heating appliances and away from windows and doors.
Dormouse are nocturnal animals and can disturb you with noise. However, often communicating with a person, dormice gradually move to a daytime lifestyle, especially if you feed them only in the morning and evening no later than 19 hours.
With properly equipped housing, dormouse does not need to walk. If you decide to get the animal out of the cage, then be prepared for the fact that it can easily arrange an escape.
In summer, in dry weather, the animals can be taken out to the balcony during the day or put the cage on the table near the house on suburban area shading part of the cage from the sun's rays so that the animals can rest.
Dormouse living in nature fall into hibernation in winter, which can last 6-7 months, but at temperatures above 10 ° C, dormouse can be active all year round.
Outside the city, these rodents can be kept in an aviary, where you can recreate a piece of wildlife: make a litter of moss or peat, put stumps and snags, fix strong branches with hollows, put grass and oats in pots, plant bushes of currants, gooseberries, blackberries. Dormouse kept in an aviary are less tameable, because when a person appears, they hide in various shelters, do not make contact, retain the behavior characteristic of them in the wild, and are not given into hands. Many owners are happy to talk about their observations of these lively, funny, active animals living in an aviary. It should be borne in mind that all species of the dormouse family in winter in an aviary can survive only in a properly made shelter, arranged in the ground in the form of an artificial hole, well insulated and covered with a layer of sawdust from above. Before wintering, dormouse gain weight 3-4 times higher than usual. However, you should carefully monitor the awakening animals: a sleeping dormouse that has awakened can eat a fellow sleeping nearby.
A bit of history
Unlike many other rodents, dormouse came to the homes of animal lovers directly from the wild. In the 20th century, the number of dormouse began to decline rapidly due to the destruction of the natural habitat of these rodents as a result of human activity. Many species of dormouse have been listed in the Red Book, and programs have begun to be developed around the world to restore the livestock of these cute animals. In the wake of this popularity, Sony first got into living corners with youth circles, and then into apartments, where they feel very good.
Just look at these cute little orange-brown animals. Although they belong to the rodent family, they are easily distinguished from their counterparts by their bushy tail.
Dormouse nocturnal animals. They hold the palm for the duration of sleep, carelessly sleeping during the day in a hollow, or a cozy and well-hidden nest. As soon as dusk descends, these funny animals wake up for 2-3 hours to move around and eat. If she smells a predator nearby, she will go to bed again. Bad weather is unlikely to get the little "sloth" out of hiding. It is better to stay warm and dry, albeit not quite full.
In autumn, the animals hibernate as a friendly family in underground burrows or hollows. Animals lie on their backs, covering their tummy with a fluffy tail, like a blanket. Dormouse will sleep for a long time - up to 8 months. During hibernation, the heart rate slows down and the animal's body temperature drops, which helps conserve energy.
They wake up hungry in the spring and go for food to gain weight and make up for the loss of energy. Animals climb trees well. With pleasure they eat swollen buds on trees and young green shoots. Dormouse feed on various foods: nuts and berries, insects and aphids, destroy the nests of small birds, feasting on delicious eggs.
The habitat of the animals is Europe (except the North) and Africa. They prefer broad-leaved and mixed forests. They spend most of their lives above the ground, on tree branches.
His appearance They are similar to squirrels, only smaller in size. The body length is 7 - 18 cm, and one animal weighs about 50 grams. The tail is quite long, 6 - 7cm. On the muzzle there are small rounded ears, a long mustache, eyes large and round, black. On the paws are long fingers with sharp claws. The nose is pink-brown. The belly and neck of the dormouse are lighter than the main color.
These are territorial animals. A well-developed hearing of the animal will let you know about encroachments on the possessions of its owner. They are solitary animals, and they create a pair for procreation. Offspring bring 1 - 3 times a year, depending on the species. After winter sleep, having found each other, the female is preparing to become a mother. She looks for a secluded place, then builds a nest, lovingly covering it with fluff and soft grass.
Pregnancy will last about a month, and small cubs will be born. Usually in a litter from 3 to 10 babies, they are born naked, blind and completely helpless. They will feed on mother's milk for about a month; eyes open only after 2.5 weeks. Mom's care and affection will not last long, after 35-40 days, the children must leave their home, and after some time find a suitable territory for themselves. It should be noted the efforts of the father of the family, he also takes care of the offspring.
In the wild, dormice live for about three years.
