Dormouse 2

Dormouse 2

The largest species of dormouse, the edible dormouse, reaches 1 ft in length. Dormice hibernate from October to April, in a stiff bodied, death-like state. Prior to hibernation they overconsume and become quite fat. In ancient Rome, dormice would be heavily fed and then eaten by the affluent. Later condemned as a needless luxury, the consumption of dormice was prohibited. This sleeping rodent is found in Europe, Africa and Asia. [BM] {FW}