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Non native hazel dormouse found in Kildare

  • 28-11-2012 5:31pm
    #1
    IrishHomer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,002 ✭✭✭


    http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/1122/hazel-dormouse-kildare.html


    A hazel dormouse has been found and caught in the wild in Ireland for the first time.
    The non-native mammal was discovered by a woman cleaning out a treehouse in Co Kildare.
    It is currently being cared for by the Kildare Animal Foundation's Wildlife Unit.
    Dormice are small rodents, with body lengths between six and nine centimetres and weighs between 15g and 35g and can spend up to three quarters of their life asleep.
    In the UK, where they are found in scattered locations, they are considered an endangered species.
    It is not known how the animal arrived in Kildare, although a spokesman for the National Parks and Wildlife Service said an investigation would be carried out to see if there is a breeding population in the area.
    As the dormouse is not native to Ireland, it will not be able to be released back into the wild.
    Tagged:


Comments

  • #2
    Mothman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,498 ✭✭✭Mothman


    if you heard or listen to the broadcast which is available on same page, it is not the first sighting. 2 years ago 2 were seen and photographed (but not caught) only 2km from where this one was found!


  • #3
    robp
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,934 ✭✭✭robp


    Mothman wrote: »
    if you heard or listen to the broadcast which is available on same page, it is not the first sighting. 2 years ago 2 were seen and photographed (but not caught) only 2km from where this one was found!

    I was surprised by this story. They seem to be a fussy little creature when it comes to habit. For instance they are rarely found in Scotland. I didn't think there would be ample habit with the low amount of broadleaf woodland. I can't imagine that they could be particularly invasive.

    I liked the NPWS theory on how they got it here, snuggled up in hay imported for horses which are common in the area.


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