Dormouse
Muscardinus avellanarius
Pathew
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Status:
Very sparsely distributed in Snowdonia, with only a handful of sites known about. Native species, protected on both Schedule 2 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1994 (European legislation) and Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. Licenses are needed to disturb dormice, including checking nest boxes.
Dormice are right on the edge of their range in Snowdonia, primarily being found in the south of England and Wales. Our climate is too damp, especially in winter. However, we do know of a handful of sites. In the south of the Park, at Pantperthog, there is a population of dormice which has been monitored for many years. A lot of habitat enhancement work has also been carried out in this area and the dormice are taking advantage of it. They are not found in particularly high numbers, but across most of the suitable habitat, including in the conifer blocks. Dormice are also known from the Conwy and Mawddach valleys. In recent years good numbers of dormice have been found in north east Wales, so we are hopeful that there are more to be found in Snowdonia.