Edible dormouse

Dormouse ( Glis glis )

The Dormouse ( Glis glis ) is a mouse-type externally, nocturnal rodent of the family of dormice ( Gliridae ). The shape of this animal is reminiscent of squirrel and gray squirrel. But the Seven Sleepers is considerably smaller, has big black eyes, rounded ears and a bushy tail. The face has no drawings, but long whiskers. The footpads of these animals are always moist and such that dormice trees and walls can climb without problems. The animals are about 70-160 g in weight, the head-body length is 13-18 cm, which coincides with a 11-15 cm long tail. The dormouse was animal of the year 2004.

Naming

Supposedly he got his name because of his seven- month long hibernation, but this resting phase often lasts from early September to early May of next year, significantly longer than seven months. In popular belief, the dormouse the dormouse to be associated and interpreted according to the mood as either good house spirits and protector of the residents or bad omen.

Habitat

One can find these animals in deciduous forests or large gardens (ideally orchards ) of continental Europe as far as Persia. The dormouse looking happy in tree holes, bird house and also under the roofs of houses to be sleeping quarters. While there he slept through the day, he likes to walk around at night and can make as much noise that this even an adult human, about a burglar could be assigned and not such a small animal.

Food

In autumn, especially high-fat food is preferred to pitting of the Winter Specks. These include beechnuts, acorns, hazelnuts, chestnuts and other seeds that contain lots of oil and grease. In the summer months, dormice eat more of buds, bark, fruits and mushrooms. Sometimes the food is supplemented by insects, bird eggs and small birds.

Reproduction

A month after awakening from the long winter sleep begins the mating season, the actual increase is controlled in this mammalian basically just about not always given fertilizing capacity of males. Alone in years with good food supply at autumn time the testes of males are already in spring significantly increased, which is linked to an actual fertilization ability. As these forward- looking management comes at the dormice about, is not yet scientifically understood.

Sometimes the mating season also attracts towards the end of August. The gestation period varies between 30 and 32 days. Then four to six, as well as up to eleven blind boy usually come to the world Between early August and mid-September. After 21 to 32 days open these eyes and then begin to near the beginning of hibernation to take solid food. In this short period they are dependent for their survival on a very good supply of food.

Hibernation

This phase usually lasts from September to maximum in early May. In this period, the heart rate of about 300 normal reduced to five beats per minute and the body temperature drops to five degrees Celsius. To avoid cell death of hibernation of short warm-up and arousals is interrupted. However, this does not happen in a certain rhythm, but only once or twice.

Threats

Among the predators include martens, cats and larger owls. Long winter can cause great damage in the population. Because of its threat to the dormouse was appointed in 2004 in Germany by the protective association for German wild animal of the year. The IUCN classifies the dormouse as " not at risk " one.

Dormouse and people

Dormice as food

In the Roman kitchen, since about the end of the Republic, dormice were eaten, bred in special enclosures ( Glirarium, similar to today's hamster cages ) and were then fattened up ready for slaughter in dark terracotta vessels. The animals were afterwards taken off and came mostly in baked or gesotteter preparation on the table, usually as a snack or as an intermediate transition, probably due to the low nutritional value and high price especially in well-off households.

Even at later times the eating of dormice was still in use until today as in Slovenia, where they are considered rare specialty and the capture of dormice with live traps is a country- folk tradition. The European- medieval enjoyment of dormice as well as the use of their fat for medicinal purposes has been documented since the 13th century. They were also hunted for seasonal food supplement in times of emergency or reinforced.

In the English -speaking world of the Seven Sleepers is still called edible ( eatable German ) dormouse.

In Italy, the consumption of the Dormouse tradition, especially in Lombardy and Calabria. However, this is currently not legal. Hunting and mast are prohibited as the animal is under protection.

Trivia

The sleeper head, a mountain in the Taunus Wiesbaden, is named after the dormice living there.