Garden Dormouse Sets Paws in Gardens of Victory: 2025's Garden Animal of the Year
Annual Garden Award Goes to Sleeping Creature for Pest Control - Garden Animal of the Year is the Designation for the Sleeper Found in Gardens
Get ready to roll out the red (and green) carpet for this year's star of the show! The garden dormouse, with its distinctive fur and sleepy demeanor, has won the title of 'Garden Animal of the Year 2025.' This charismatic critter, sporting a mask-like visage around the eyes, has been designated as critically endangered by the Sielmann Foundation based in Duderstadt, near Goettingen.
"We couldn't be more thrilled that the garden dormouse has been chosen as this year's Garden Animal of the Year," a spokespersonshared. "It's a fantastic opportunity to shine the spotlight on this amazing little creature and ensure it gets the attention it deserves."
Originally found in many regions of southern and central Germany, primarily in deciduous and mixed forests, the garden dormouse is a synanthropic species, mingling with nature-friendly gardens, orchards, and old vineyards, when given the chance.
Unfortunately, their forested haven has shrunk over the years and is now limited to specific areas such as the Moselle valley, Taunus, Black Forest, and Harz. Habitat loss and dwindling food sources, worsened by intensive forestry and urbanization, pose significant challenges for these furry sleep-enthusiasts. However, conservation projects like those initiated by environmentalists from BUND in the Harz, are working tirelessly to restore the lost habitats for the garden dormouse.
Garden enthusiasts, do your part!
Being small, nocturnal creatures, garden dormice graze on snails, worms, and plants. They are skilled climbers, hibernate for most of the year (October to April), and prefer nature-friendly gardens as their retreats. Old trees with cavities or dense shrubbery are Tabitha's top picks for nesting sites. Stone piles or nest boxes also serve as welcome abodes for these furry guests, where they construct cozy nests using grass and moss.
"Creating a 'wild corner' in your garden can make a world of difference for the garden dormouse," said the foundation. Adding a touch of wilderness to your garden benefits these precious creatures, as they help keep gardening pests like slugs and insects at bay.
In these uncertain times, every bit of help counts. So, let's lend a paw to our garden dormouse neighbors! Rejoice in their win and participate in their journey toward thriving in the Gardens of Victory.
Fun Facts:
- Did you know? Garden dormice are relatives of the common dormouse!
- Garden dormice hibernate for most of the year, waking up only during certain times of the year to eat and breed!
- By creating retreats for garden dormice in your homes, you're contributing to a broader mission of biodiversity conservation!
Enrichment Insights:
- The garden dormouse has critical needs for shelter and food. Encouraging the growth of woodland and garden environments can help support the survival of this endangered creature.
- To combat the threats faced by the garden dormouse, initiatives aimed at habitat protection, restoration, research, and monitoring may be considered. Local community engagement in these efforts could be vital for their success.
- Partnering with wildlife organizations and government bodies to protect the garden dormouse and support its population growth could prove beneficial in conservation efforts.
- Adopting the community policy of creating wild-friendly gardens can be a significant contribution towards the vocational training of the critically endangered garden dormouse, assisting in its survival and aiding in the broader mission of biodiversity conservation.
- Incorporating home-and-garden practices such as gardening to provide habitat for the garden dormouse, like installing stone piles or nest boxes, not only helps our garden-loving allies but also improves our lifestyle by keeping pests like slugs and insects in check, offering a win-win situation for both humans and the small, nocturnal dwellers.
