Family Gliridae is a taxonomic family within the order Rodentia, commonly known as the dormice or dormouse family. The family belongs to the suborder Sciuromorpha and encompasses small to medium-sized, primarily arboreal mammals distributed across Europe, Africa, and Asia. Dormice are characterized by their rounded bodies, bushy tails, and soft, dense fur, often in shades of gray or brown.
These animals typically have large eyes and ears, which aid in their nocturnal lifestyle. They possess sharp, chisel-like incisors that enable them to gnaw through the hard shells of nuts and seeds, their main source of food. Dormice are renowned for their hibernation habits, as they possess the ability to enter extended periods of dormancy during the colder winter months to conserve energy.
Family Gliridae is further divided into several genera, including Eliomys, Muscardinus, and Glis, each comprising different species of dormice. These rodents are mostly solitary or live in small family groups, constructing nests in trees or underground burrows. Their diets primarily consist of fruits, nuts, insects, and sometimes flowers or meat.
In addition to their ecological importance as seed dispersers and pollinators, dormice also hold cultural significance in some regions, where they are considered as a symbol of good fortune or protected as a cultural icon. However, habitat loss, climate change, and human activities pose significant threats to the survival of some species within Family Gliridae, making their conservation a matter of concern.
