African Dormouse

The woodland dormouse, also known as the African dormouse or micro squirrel, is an enchanting small rodent belonging to the family Gliridae. Native to southern and eastern Africa, this diminutive creature occasionally appears in the pet trade, but it necessitates more specialized care than the average pet rodent.

In terms of appearance, the woodland dormouse is highly appealing. It features soft, silky fur, large expressive eyes, and rounded brown ears. Its upper body typically showcases a golden or greyish-brown hue, often accentuated by a darker stripe running along the spine. The cheeks are a whitish color, while the underparts are a pale grey with touches of white or cream.

These dormice predominantly inhabit subtropical or tropical, moist montane forests and riverine areas. They are remarkable climbers, adept at scaling both trees and rocks. Their diet is quite varied, comprising insects, small invertebrates, plant stems, leaves, flowers, seeds, and fruit.

Geographically, the woodland dormouse is found in several African countries: Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. They flourish in woodlands, grasslands, savannahs, and rocky regions, usually at elevations between 1,000 and 4,000 meters. For nesting, they utilize tree crevices, abandoned nests, or even human structures. Interestingly, they can enter a state of torpor under certain conditions.

Regarding their conservation status, there is positive news. The woodland dormouse is considered a common species and does not face any significant threats. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified it as "Least Concern."