European edible dormouse

Glis glis
European edible dormouse
Photo: Azay, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
European edible dormouse
Photo: Kazimieras Martinaitis, CC BY, iNaturalist · photo: Литва

About

The European edible dormouse, or Glis glis, is a typical inhabitant of deciduous and mixed forests, primarily beech and oak. It occurs from lowland forests to the upper limit of such forests at altitudes of 1500–2000 m and avoids open areas. In neighboring Poland, the dormouse is quite common in the mountains and foothills, but rare in the lowlands. It can also live near humans, but only near the forest.

The animal resembles a small gray squirrel: body 13–18 cm, fluffy tail 11–15 cm, weight 70–230 g. The fur is silvery-gray, the belly is light, and around its large dark eyes are barely noticeable dark rings. The dormouse is active at night and climbs trees excellently.

In autumn, dormice fatten up by eating beech nuts, acorns, fruits, and berries, and before hibernation, they can nearly double their weight. Hibernation usually lasts from the end of September to the beginning of May, and in poor years, it can last over 11 months. One large tree, richly covered with fruits, can provide enough energy for the animal to raise its young.

Tourists most often encounter the dormouse in mountain huts and Sadybas near the forest. The animals have adapted well to humans and often hibernate in insulated attics and even on dark shelves in wardrobes, especially if there are soft items for nesting. Do not leave food open, but do not harm the dormouse — they are safe for humans. The name 'edible' in other languages comes from the ancient Romans, who considered dormice a delicacy. The European edible dormouse is not listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Where in the Carpathians

fewermore52 records in the Carpathians

The map shows where naturalists recorded the species (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records), not every place it lives. The Ukrainian Carpathians are less studied, so a blank area does not mean the species is absent.

Countries
Ukraine · Romania · Slovakia · Poland · Hungary
Mountain ranges
Pădurea Craiului, Maramureș Mountains, Pokuttia-Bukovina Carpathians, Skole Beskids, Little Carpathians, Chornohora
Altitude belts
Foothills (below 600 m) · Beech forests (600–1200 m)

When to see it

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sightings

From naturalists’ observations in the Carpathians (iNaturalist, research grade): the darker the cell, the more often the species is seen that month.

Protection and rules

Not listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Red Data Book of Ukraine

FAQ

Who is making noise at night in the attic of the hut?

Often it is the European edible dormouse, or Glis glis: a nocturnal rodent that often settles in the attics of houses near the forest. It is safe for people.

When do dormice fall asleep for the winter?

Usually from the end of September to the beginning of May; before hibernation, they can nearly double their weight.

Similar species

Hazel dormouseHazel dormouseMuscardinus avellanariusA tiny reddish dormouse of hazel thickets. It lives at night in bushes and hibernates in a nest on the ground during winter. It is protected in the EU.
Red squirrelRed squirrelSciurus vulgarisA common inhabitant of the Carpathian forests. Many squirrels here have dark, almost black fur with a white belly.
European beechEuropean beechFagus sylvaticaA tree with light gray smooth bark that forms the Carpathian primeval forests — a UNESCO World Heritage site. It grows up to a height of about 1400 m.

Where to meet it

Trails

Bystrytsia village, via Klympushi village, Mount Hropa, Mount Bratkivska, Mount Ruska and Mount Chorna Kleva to Bystrytsia villageHardMulti-dayBystrytsia village loopvia Klympushi village, Mount Hropa +3Elevation profile736–1 788 m38.1 kmascent 1 798 m≈ 13 h walkingBystrytsia village, via Mount Hropa, Mount Bratkivska and Mount Chorna Kleva to Polianytsia villageHardMulti-dayBystrytsia village to Polianytsia villagevia Mount Hropa, Mount Bratkivska +1Elevation profile737–1 788 m42 kmascent 1 974 mBystrytsia village, via Klympushi village, Mount Ruska and Mount Chorna Kleva to Bystrytsia villageHardMulti-dayBystrytsia village loopvia Klympushi village, Mount Ruska +1Elevation profile737–1 719 m42.5 kmascent 1 786 mPolianytsia village, via Mount Dovbushanka and Mount Vedmezhyk to Polianytsia villageHardMulti-dayPolianytsia village loopvia Mount Dovbushanka, Mount VedmezhykElevation profile891–1 754 m24.3 kmascent 1 289 m≈ 8.5 h walkingBystrytsia village, via Mount Chorna Kleva, Mount Ruska and Mount Bratkivska to Bystrytsia villageHardMulti-dayBystrytsia village loopvia Mount Chorna Kleva, Mount Ruska +1Elevation profile734–1 788 m36.8 kmascent 1 971 m≈ 13 h walkingVovchyi village, via Mount Stiy, Mount Zhyd-Mahura, Pryslip Pass, Kuk polonyna, Mount Korytyshche and Shyroke village to Nyzhnii Bystryi villageHardMulti-dayVovchyi village to Nyzhnii Bystryi villagevia Mount Stiy, Mount Zhyd-Mahura +4Elevation profile285–1 681 m60.7 kmascent 2 763 m
Bystrytsia village – Mount Malyi HorhanHardTwo-dayMarkedBystrytsia village Mount Malyi HorhanElevation profile743–1 450 m22.1 kmascent 1 130 m≈ 8 h walkingNo. 5003 Maidan village – MalmanstalEasyOne-dayMarkedNo. 5003 Maidan village MalmanstalElevation profile531–616 m5.7 kmascent 88 m≈ 1.5 h walkingSitnyi – Menchul (Kvasy village)EasyOne-dayMarkedSitnyi Menchul (Kvasy village)Elevation profile509–1 216 m4.8 kmascent 707 m≈ 2.5 h walkingBilyn village – Perelisok shelterModerateOne-dayMarkedBilyn village Perelisok shelterElevation profile509–1 279 m6.5 kmascent 770 m≈ 3 h walkingStara Huta village, via Mount Syvulia, Legioniv Pass, Mount Bratkivska, Mount Chorna Kleva, Mount Ploska and Mount Dovha to Polianytsia villageHardMulti-dayStara Huta village to Polianytsia villagevia Mount Syvulia, Legioniv Pass +4Elevation profile706–1 836 m67.5 kmascent 3 807 mLubnia – StavneEasyOne-dayMarkedLubnia StavneElevation profile404–851 m5.1 kmascent 448 m≈ 2 h walking

Peaks and meadows

Mount of the Heroes of the Heavenly HundredPeakMount of the Heroes of the Heavenly HundredRybnykaltitude 886 m · Skole Beskids rangeThe Mount of the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred (locally Konova or Horb) is an 886 m summit (890 m according to other...Mount Sopka (Stizhky, Zinyakov top).PeakMount Sopka (Stizhky, Zinyakov top).Kosivaltitude 620 m2 trails to the topStizhki (620 meters) offers a panoramic view of the city of Kosiv. The mountain is covered with forests - beech,...Polonyna Rosokhata (Sheshory)Mountain meadow674 mPolonyna Rosokhata (Sheshory)SheshoryWhy is the meadow called "Rosokhata"? The two parts of the field that form the branches look like dewdrops.Polonyna Menchul (Kvasy)Mountain meadow1 240 mPolonyna Menchul (Kvasy)KvasyMenchul Polonyna above the village of Kvasy is a broad open shoulder on the south-western spur of the Chornohora...Mount Ostry (Ostra)PeakMount Ostry (Ostra)Kosivaltitude 584 m2 trails to the topThe mountain offers wonderful views of the entire Kosiv. The descent is steep, and autumn is magical here.Mount Mykhalkova (Kosiv)PeakMount Mykhalkova (Kosiv)Kosivaltitude 812 m2 trails to the topMount Mykhalkova (Mykhalkiv), with a height of 812 meters, is part of the Pokuttya Carpathians.

Mountain ranges: Maramureș Mountains, Pokuttia-Bukovina Carpathians, Skole Beskids, Chornohora. In other countries: 🇷🇴 Pădurea Craiului, 🇸🇰 Little Carpathians

Trails and peaks near which naturalists recorded the species (GBIF, iNaturalist), matched by altitude and habitat. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Sources

GBIF · iNaturalist · Wikidata · Distribution data: GBIF.org (CC0 and CC BY records), iNaturalist; names and identifiers: Wikidata (CC0). Text: Karpaty.rocks, checked 09.11.2026.