Dormouse  (Muscardinus avellanarius)

With their lovely ginger-brown fur, long fur covered tails and deep black eyes, the dormouse is one of our most beautiful and intriguing small mammals.  Sadly however, dormouse numbers are in steep decline.

This unique dormouse house provides an ideal nesting habitat and is designed to accommodate their natural ball-shaped nests.

The house is made from FSC timber and non toxic finishes.  The opening swivel door can be used to access the nesting area.  However, please note that as the dormouse is a ‘Protected Species’ in the United Kingdom, it is against the law to disturb the mice, and when occupied inspection should only be carried out by a licensed inspector.

Dormice are arboreal and nocturnal.  Their primary habitat is within the vegetation layer of mature trees/woodland, strong thicket and thick hedgerow type vegetation.  They eat mainly insects, seeds, nuts and pollen, but are particularly fond of hazelnuts (Corylus avellana),  In the appropriate environment, if you find hazelnuts with a smooth round hole in their side or the bark of the hazel stripped it may be an indicator of dormice in the vicinity.   Dormice can have up to 2 litters per year.

Siting - Locate the box in a quiet area on mature trees or in thick hedgerows. Position the box about 1 – 1.5m high with the hole facing the tree trunk.