The dormouse is a rodent which gets its name from the French word for sleep, dormir because it likes to sleep a lot. It has silky fur all over its body. Its fur is golden yellow and it has a white belly. It looks like a very small squirrel. Its head has a pointed nose and black eyes. It is about 15cm long from nose to tail.

Dormice can be found in Africa, Asia and Europe. They make their nests on the ground, under fallen leaves, in trees or in bushes. They curl themselves into a tight ball to reduce heat loss while they hibernate.

Baby dormice stay in their mother’s stomach for about 24 days. The mother has 4 to 5 babies at one time. When the babies are born, they are pink and blind. They drink their mother’s milk and stay with her for 2 months.

By Amanda, Cassy, Glenn, Jackie, Marina, Scott