Dormice Weight Shifts Linked to Climate Change
Why this is here: The study analyzed three decades of data collected through the National Dormouse Monitoring Programme, a citizen science scheme run by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species.
Britain’s hazel dormice are getting lighter in spring and heavier in autumn, according to a new 30-year study. Researchers at the University of Exeter, Bat Conservation Trust, and People’s Trust for Endangered Species analyzed dormouse weight data from 1993 to 2023. They found average weight decreased by roughly one gram after hibernation in May and June.
Average weight before hibernation increased by about one gram, potentially due to increased summer rainfall and food availability. Dormice in woodlands with dense, 4-to-6 meter tall hedgerows were heavier, while those in areas with small, managed hedgerows were lighter.
Britain’s dormice population has declined by approximately 70% since 2000, largely due to habitat loss and climate change. Researchers emphasize the need to protect and connect woodland habitats to support dormouse conservation and allow them to adapt to a warming climate.