Gliridae

Gliridae is a family of small to medium-sized rodents commonly known as dormice. The family comprises five extant genera: Glis, Muscardinus, Dryomys, Eliomys, and Graphiurus. They occur throughout Europe, parts of western Asia, and North Africa, with Graphiurus species native to sub-Saharan Africa. The best-known species include the edible dormouse (Glis glis) and the hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius).

Dormice have dense, soft fur, large eyes and ears, and relatively short limbs. They typically measure 6 to 20 cm in body length, with tails of similar length that are often bushy and aid in balance during climbing. Their coloration ranges from gray to brown, sometimes with lighter underparts.

Dormice are predominantly nocturnal and arboreal omnivores. They feed on fruits, nuts, berries, seeds, flowers, and insects, and many species store food for winter. They nest in tree hollows, rock crevices, or dense vegetation, building finely woven nests from plant materials. They are generally solitary, coming together only to breed. Most species hibernate for several months in winter, though the duration varies with climate.

Breeding typically occurs in spring and early summer. Litter sizes range from one to seven young, depending on species. The young are altricial and weaned after a few weeks. Lifespans in the wild are usually a few years, with some individuals living longer in captivity.

Conservation status varies by species. Many dormice have stable populations, but several with restricted ranges face threats from habitat loss and fragmentation. The edible dormouse has a long-standing presence in Europe and has been introduced to some regions outside its native range.

Taxonomically, Gliridae is a family within Rodentia. Within Gliridae, the extant genera are Glis, Muscardinus, Dryomys, Eliomys, and Graphiurus.