Garden dormouse – Estonia

Estonian post issued a stamp in the Fauna series dedicated to the dormouse (Eliomys quercinus L.). The dormouse is a rodent the size of a young rat.

It is an omnivore and eats plant fruits, seeds as well as snails, insects and even smaller rodents. Waking in the spring the animal only weighs about 45 grams but by the fall it acquires an abundant store of fat and then weighs nearly 120 grams.

They multiply twice a year, with mostly 4 to 6 young in the litter. Dormice prefer deciduous and mixed forests with the presence of oak and hazelnut trees, as well as dry-stone walls and old farm seats. Sometimes they live in houses and outbuildings. Dormice are found in most parts of Europe but their population has seriously fallen in most parts of its area for unknown reasons.

They are only known to nest on the mainland, but there is a community on Suur-Tütarsaar Island in the Gulf of Finland. Due to its relatives rarity the dormouse is listed in the 2nd category of protected species. As there is practically no information about dormouse finds in Estonia it has been entered into the category of species with deficient data.

Title: Garden dormouse – Estonia
Date of Issue: 23 September 2010
Country: Estonia
Denominations: 0.35 EUR