The European edible dormouse or Myoxus glis, or Glis glis, is a small rodent that inhabits forests, mainly in Europe and Asia. (Photo: Archive texnikos.gr)
Myoxus, which is also called blouchos, pellechi, splichos, pontikoskiouros in local dialects, belongs to the genus of rodents of the myoxidae family, with the only representative being the species Myoxus glis.
In other taxonomic systems, the family is referred to by the scientific name gliridae and the genus is renamed Glis (Glis glis).
In general, all species (approximately 26) of the myoxid or gliridae family are commonly known with the name myoxus.
Reproduction
The breeding season lasts from June to August.
To attract males, the females rub their anal region on the ground, emitting a characteristic scent that is easily identified by males.
Also, from time to time, to indicate their desire to mate, they make distinctive sounds that resemble whistling or singing.
After 30 – 32 days of gestation, females give birth once a year, from 1 to 11 young, although the usual is 4 to 6, which are born blind and naked, and breastfeed for seven weeks.
New dormice reach sexual maturity after about 9 to 10 months, i.e. in the spring following the year of their birth.
Males usually leave females after mating in search of new mates.
Sometimes, when danger arises, the mother carries her babies out of the nest, by grabbing them one by one from the skin of their backs.
A key factor to their longevity is proper nutrition.
Protection status
It is a protected species in Europe, according to the Berne Convention, and they can be sampled if the population density permits it.
Geographical distribution
The species Myoxus or Glis glis is prevalent with several subspecies in a significant part of Europe and Asia.
The dormice living in temperate areas fall into hibernation in the winter, which can last up to six months.
The altitude they live in varies depending on the region.
In the area of Argithea Agrafa (Karditsa regional unit of Greece), located in the Pindos mountain range, dormice communities were identified at an altitude of 900 to 1,500 meters.
In recent years, there has been a dramatic decrease in the population of dormice in the above area, which we hope is temporary.
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