Niemowl

Niemowl is a small nocturnal mammal native to temperate forests of the Northern Hemisphere. It forms the genus Niemowl noctivagus and is placed in the fictional family Niemowlidae within the order Rodentia.

Adults measure 14–20 cm in body length, with a 15–30 cm tail, and weigh 120–320 g. The fur is dense and usually pale gray with rust tones along the flanks. Large rounded ears and prominent eyes reflect adaptations for night vision.

Niemowl inhabits mixed deciduous-coniferous forests and dense shrubland, favoring areas with thick understory and fallen logs. It occurs across temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere, from low elevations to mid-elevations, where ground cover provides foraging sites.

Niemowl is mainly solitary and nocturnal, emerging at dusk to forage and mark territory with scent. It nests in hollow logs or tree cavities, lining the site with leaves and moss. Short torpor may occur during cold nights.

Omnivorous, Niemowl diet includes berries, seeds, tubers, fungi, and insects, with occasional small vertebrates. It caches food for lean periods and relies on diverse resources to reduce seasonal risk.

Breeding occurs in spring and early summer. Gestation lasts about 38–42 days, producing litters of 2–4 altricial young. Weaning occurs at 4–6 weeks; juveniles reach maturity within a year.

In this fictional setting, Niemowl is listed as least concern due to broad distribution and adaptable diet. Local declines can result from forest loss and fragmentation.

The name Niemowl derives from regional terms for night and wanderer. Folklore sometimes portrays Niemowl as dusk omens or guardians of forest boundaries.