Dormice

Dormice are small animals, weighing about the same as two £1 coins. They are bright golden in colour, with a thick furry tail and large black eyes. 

Dormice are easily distinguished from other mammals but they are nocturnal so you are very unlikely to come across them on a stroll in the countryside.

Dormice are mainly ancient woodland specialists, preferring mature deciduous woodland with a wide variety of tree and shrub species. In South Wales they are often found in other habitats, including mature hedgerows, reedbeds, heathland and scrub habitats. 

They feed on flowers, pollen, fruit, insects and ripe nuts, and require a continuous availability of food throughout spring and summer; therefore hazel, honeysuckle, bramble and oak are particularly important in providing food.

Dormice are rare through most of the British Isles but tend to be more common in the south and west - its less wet and cold. Dormice are a protected species - its illegal to disturb them or the places that they live.

Are there dormice in the Vale?