Muscardinus

The hazel dormouse or common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) is a small mammal and the only living species in the genus Muscardinus. The hazel dormouse is native to northern Europe and Asia Minor. It is the only dormouse native to the British Isles, and is therefore often referred to simply as the 'dormouse' in British sources, although the edible dormouse, Glis glis, has been accidentally introduced and now has an established population. Though Ireland has no native dormouse, the hazel dormouse has recently been found in County Kildare, and appears to be spreading rapidly, helped by the prevalence of hedgerows in the Irish countryside. The first record of the dormouse in Ireland was noted in Co. Kildare in 2010. The United Kingdom distribution of the hazel dormouse can be found on the National Biodiversity Network website. A 2016 study finds that hazel dormice in Britain have declined by over one third since 2000. Woodland habitat loss and management and a warming climate are seen as material threats to their future status. According to English Nature's Dormouse Conservation Handbook, hazel dormice are 'particularly associated with deciduous woodland' but also inhabit hedgerows and scrub. Dormice seldom travel more than 70 m from their nest.