Dormouse hibernating in shed

emo72

He was hibernating in my lawnmower when I seen him. I put him in a nice cozy shoe box. I tore a hole in the side of it for when he wakes up and can get out. He has a little whistle sound when he breathes. He hasn't woke up yet. Cute fecker. Hope he makes it through.

magicbastarder

Where are you based? Dormice aren't native to Ireland, it's worth reporting that to the national biodiversity data centre.

They were originally found in Kildare about 10 years ago.

emo72

Kildare near the curragh. Yeah, they are centered around here.

Igotadose

Feed your head

emo72

https://youtu.be/dyMtIwobqbI

Brilliant vocal version about our little friend.

whodafunk

Any update/movement?

SuperBowserWorld

Ah, a nice British invader. 😊

Hard to believe they never arrived here until recently.

emo72

No updates. Still snoring. I'll leave him alone.

Bogwoppit

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118977007#Comment_118977007

They arrived from France on hay imports.

I have good numbers of them around me, they’re very cute but won’t hesitate to bite if threatened!

long_b

Song for your wee friend there and the gentle people of this forum

https://youtu.be/KeETmqXUzF8

SuperBowserWorld

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118977239#Comment_118977239

Oh I took the first Google result and it's said England. Anyway. Interesting and beautiful creatures to have.

https://corknaturenetwork.ie/dormice/#:~:text=Dormice%20are%20not%20native%20to,England%2C%20where%20they%20are%20native.

10-10-20

I was about to point out that he should check his/her/thems biological calender, but the long hibernation is a feature of their lives:

One of the most notable characteristics of those dormice that live in temperate zones is hibernation. 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. During the summer, they accumulate fat in their bodies to nourish them through the hibernation period.[6]

emo72

I was thinking of leaving some seeds in the box in case he wakes up. Anyone hazard a guess to what type of seeds.

Dempo1

There's a range of foods specifically for pet mice available in pet stores but if you just wanted something quickly, perhaps you might have some nuts in the house, walnut, almonds etc, even bird seeds would do.

Fair play for looking Him/Her 😏

10-10-20

"As a granivore, the Hazel dormouse particularly enjoys eating hazelnuts. However, this rodent feeds upon a wide variety of food such as fruits, nuts, eggs of birds, fledglings as well as occasional insects and pollen."

https://animalia.bio/hazel-dormouse

A "granivore" - now that's one I'd never heard of before. Adequately describes my sister. 😂

emo72

Update. Checked on Friday and he was gone. Farewell sweet prince, I hope you have a good summer.