The early and middle Eocene genus Eogliravus represents the earliest and most primitive glirid taxon the oldest species, Eogliravus wildi, is known from isolated teeth from the early Eocene of France and a complete specimen of the early middle Eocene of the Messel pit in Germany. As currently understood, they descended in Europe from early Paleogene ischyromyids such as Microparamys ( Sparnacomys) chandoni. The Gliridae are one of the oldest extant rodent families, with a fossil record dating back to the early Eocene. Asian garden dormice ( Eliomys melanurus) are also occasionally kept as pets. The woodland dormouse ( Graphiurus murinus) is the most commonly seen species in the pet trade. In more recent years dormice have begun to enter the pet trade, though they are uncommon as pets and are considered an exotic pet. Dormouse fat was believed by the Elizabethans to induce sleep since the animal put on fat before hibernating. It is still considered a delicacy in Slovenia and in several places in Croatia, namely Lika, and the islands of Hvar and Brač. The Romans used a special kind of enclosure, a glirarium, to raise and fatten dormice for the table. The edible dormouse ( Glis glis) was considered a delicacy in ancient Rome, either as a savoury appetizer or as a dessert (dipped in honey and poppy seeds). During the summer, they accumulate fat in their bodies to nourish them through the hibernation period. They can hibernate six months out of the year, or even longer if the weather does not become warm enough, sometimes waking for brief periods to eat food they had previously stored nearby. One of the most notable characteristics of those dormice that live in temperate zones is hibernation. The little dormouse, sleeping in the winter nest. Dormice live in small family groups, with home ranges that vary widely between species and depend on the availability of food. They typically become sexually mature after the end of their first hibernation. The young are born hairless and helpless, and their eyes do not open until about 18 days after birth. Their dental formula is similar to that of squirrels, although they often lack premolars:ĭormice breed once or occasionally twice each year, producing litters with an average of four young after a gestation period of 22–24 days. They are unique among rodents in that they lack a cecum, a part of the gut used in other species to ferment vegetable matter. ĭormice are omnivorous, and typically feed on berries, flowers, fruits, insects, and nuts. Dormice have an excellent sense of hearing and signal each other with a variety of vocalisations. They are largely arboreal, agile, and well adapted to climbing. They are generally mouse-like in appearance, but with furred, rather than scaly, tails. of dormeur 'sleeper' is attested only from 17c." Characteristics ĭormice are small rodents, with body lengths between 6 and 19 cm (2.4 and 7.5 in), and weighs between 15 and 180 g (0.53 and 6.35 oz). Concerning the dormouse's name, etymonline says "long-tailed Old World rodent noted for its state of semi-hibernation in winter, early 15c., possibly from Anglo-French dormouse 'tending to be dormant' (from stem of dormir 'to sleep,' see dormant), with the second element mistaken for mouse or perhaps it is from a Middle English dialectal compound of mouse (n.) and Middle French dormir.
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