Glirids

Glirids, or dormice, are a family of small to medium-sized rodents (Gliridae) found in Europe, western Asia, and parts of North Africa. They are distinguished by soft fur, large eyes, and a relatively long, well-furred tail. Most species are nocturnal and arboreal, living in trees, shrubs, or dense vegetation.

The family includes several genera, such as Glis (edible dormouse), Muscardinus (hazel dormouse), Eliomys (garden dormouse), Dryomys (forest dormouse), and Glirulus (Japanese dormouse). Notable European species are the hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) and the edible dormouse (Glis glis). A Japanese dormouse, Glirulus japonicus, represents the Asian component of glirids.

Dormice are typically solitary and sedentary, with a life cycle adapted to seasonal availability. They are long-lived for small rodents and enter long winter hibernations that can last several months. Reproduction occurs in spring and summer, with litters usually ranging from two to eight young. Young are born underdeveloped and mature rapidly in the warmth of the nest.

Diet is omnivorous, including seeds, nuts, fruits, buds, insects, and occasionally fungi or nectar. Habitats vary by species but generally favor woodlands, hedges, and areas with abundant hollows or dense cover for nesting and protection.

Conservation concerns vary by region and species. Habitat loss, fragmentation, and climate change have affected several glirids, prompting protection measures and monitoring under national laws and international agreements in parts of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The Gliridae fossil record indicates an ancient lineage with adaptations tied to arboreal and nocturnal lifestyles.