Hazel Dormouse
Muscardinus avellanarius
The hazel dormouse or common dormouse is a small dormouse species native to Europe and the only living species in the genus Muscardinus.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazel_dormouse
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Rodentia
Family
Gliridae
Genus
Muscardinus
Hazel Dormouse belongs to the family Gliridae, order Rodentia, within the Mammalia class.
Species Profile
The hazel dormouse or common dormouse is a small dormouse species native to Europe and the only living species in the genus Muscardinus.
The Hazel Dormouse is declining primarily due to habitat loss and fragmentation caused by agricultural intensification, woodland clearance, and poor woodland management practices. Climate change and the loss of traditional coppice management have further reduced the availability of suitable dense understory habitat that this species requires.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
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 in South East England. Though Ireland has no native dormouse, the hazel dormouse was...
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
The Hazel Dormouse is declining primarily due to habitat loss and fragmentation caused by agricultural intensification, woodland clearance, and poor woodland management practices. Climate change and the loss of traditional coppice management have further reduced the availability of suitable dense understory habitat that this species requires.
Habitat loss and fragmentation from agricultural intensification
Loss of traditional coppice woodland management
Woodland clearance and development
Climate change affecting food availability and hibernation patterns
Hedgerow removal and degradation
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (EN).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | ENEndangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | ENEndangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Hazel Dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/hazel-dormouse