Fat dormice were eaten by the Romans - hence their alternative name, edible dormice - who kept them in special jars to fatten them up for the table. They are the largest of the dormice.

Life span
Up to 7 years.

Statistics
Body length: 14-20cm, Weight: 50-250g.

Physical description
Fat dormice are the largest of the dormice family, with a thick bushy tail and grey/brown fur. They have dark stripes on the outside of the legs, and dark rings around their eyes.

Distribution
Fat dormice range across Europe and Asia. They are not native to Britain. They were introduced to Hertfordshire, England, from Hungary in 1902. Although restricted to the Chiltern Hills, they have spread slowly since their introduction.

Habitat
Their preferred habitat is mature deciduous woodland, but they are also found in gardens and orchards.

Diet
Fat dormice feed on nuts, fruit, buds, bark, insects, carrion and occasionally eggs and nestlings.

Behaviour
Family groups, which include the male, often hibernate together in nests. The nests are sometimes built below ground in old rabbit warrens or fox dens. Alternatively, fat dormice sometimes nest in tree holes or in the roofs of buildings.

Fat dormice are nocturnal. They have home ranges of about 100m in diameter.

Reproduction
Fat dormice breed between June-October. There may be 1-11 young in a litter, but the typical size is 4-6. They become independent at 30 days.

Conservation status
Fat dormice are listed as Lower Risk by the IUCN Red List.