1992-07-09 United Kingdom Photo size: 11.9" x 16" inches . By the Pleistocene, only one species, G. sackdillingensis, is known to have survived, and this is likely the ancestor of the modern species, which first appeared in the early to mid-Pleistocene. [13] They are not generally social animals, although small groups of closely related adults have occasionally been reported. [24], Males are not territorial, and may visit the territories of several nearby females to mate, becoming aggressive to any other males they encounter. It was eaten as an appetizer or as a dessert. [5] It is rather more sparsely distributed through central Europe and the Balkans, but can be found as far north-east as the upper Volga River. Females are able to produce additional young if amino acid-rich foods like inflorescences, unripe seeds, and (or) larval insects, which also increase their numbers by eating the same enriched plant food, are available. The Romans loved to eat them too. [7], It is also found in scattered populations throughout Thrace, located on the southeastern tip of the European Balkan peninsula. This is because the Gliridae family of rodents is protected internationally under the Berne Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, to which the United Kingdom is a signatory. In both countries, edible dormouse is a traditional peasant dish and dormouse trapping is an important event. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. [22] Females reach sexual maturity at 351–380 days old and males significantly lower their body mass during mating season. I shall talk about the edible dormouse (Myoxus glis), focusing my ethnological attention on the dormouse hunter and the dormouse hunting tradition in Slovenia. The trappers used many different types of bait to entice the dormice, ranging from pieces of fruit to bacon soaked in brandy. In Slovenia, they can be baked with buckwheat, or cooked in a goulash or stew. Instances of house fire have been attributed to electrical fires caused by wires chewed by Glis glis. At the turn of the 20th century, the British banker and zoologist Lionel Walter Rothschild kept Glis glis in his private collection in the town of Tring in Hertfordshire; in 1902 some of the animals escaped and reproduced, establishing themselves in the wild as an invasive species. Their fur is well developed by 16 days and they open their eyes about a week later. , 2008 ). Removing edible dormice from a property may only be carried out by a qualified pest controller licensed by Natural England using spring traps. The fat or edible dormouse Glis glis (Linnaeus, 1766) is a squirrel-like nocturnal rodent native to the entire territory of Slovenia (1). Glis glis control. [23] An abundance of energy-rich seeds allows newborn dormice to increase their body fat to prepare for their first hibernation. A notorious delicacy of the Roman Empire mentioned in Petronius’ Satyricon (served dipped in honey), the dormouse remains a traditional food in Slovenia—particularly in the southern regions of Dolenska, Bela Krajina, and Notranska. In Italy, Edible dormice are protected, but still sometimes are hunted illegally. Beech mast, which is rich in energy and protein, is an excellent source of food for young and lactating females. The Slovenian dormouse … Atlas Obscura Trips. In some parts of their range (Slovenia, Croatia, Italy), there is a tradition of hunting this species. Today, the edible dormouse is still a traditional dish in Croatia, where it is known as puh, and Slovenia, where it is known as polh. [4], Unlike most other dormice, they have no dark markings on the face, aside from faint rings around the eyes. Stuffed them with a mixture of pork mince, dormouse meat trimmings, pepper, nuts, asafoetida and garum and then roasting or boiling them (Apicius 8.9.1) External links . Together, these narrow ecological preferences make it highly sensitive to habitat fragmentation ( Mortelliti et al. [4] They develop their fur by 16 days, and open their eyes after around 3 weeks. is the edible dormouse not the hazel one, however, it's as pointless as hunting anywhere and demonstrates the arrogance of humans who still act as if the world is there for them to exploit. Mothers and daughters may share a nest and nurse their young communally. ‘To this day, wild edible dormice are consumed in Slovenia, where they are considered a rare delicacy and dormouse trapping an ethnic tradition.’ ‘Exposure of male edible dormice all year round to an unvarying photoperiod and warm temperature disrupted their biological cycles.’ The fat dormouse (Glis glis) has been a commodity species in Slovenia for almost a millennium. [4][clarification needed], The edible dormouse is found throughout much of mainland western Europe. High-Speed photograph of Edible Dormouse jumping (Glis Glis), Europe. Today, the edible dormouse is still a traditional dish in Croatia, where it is known as puh, and Slovenia, where it is known as polh. In Croatia, particularly on the island of Hvar, they are grilled over an open flame and served on bread. This Spanish pâté was so inspiring, someone wrote a poem about it. [24], Gestation lasts from 20–31 days, and results in the birth of up to 11 young, although four or five are more typical. The edible dormouse gets its name from the ancient Romans, who grilled and ate this small animal with gusto (and plenty of honey). The male attracts a female by squeaking, then conducts a circular courtship dance before mounting her. [4] Some dormice are found to have hair and ectoparasite remains in their stomachs, but this is mainly due to accidental ingestion during grooming. Edible dormice are active during a six-month period and go into hibernation[13] from roughly October to May, depending on local climatic conditions. Front and back of the image: Front of photograph Back of photograph. It is also found on a number of Mediterranean islands, including Sardinia, Corsica, Sicily, and Crete. Glis glis have adapted well to the presence of humans and now frequently hibernate in insulated attics and even dark shelves in cupboards, particularly if soft materials are on the shelf to make a nest. But during special occasions, the Romans turned to their favorite delicacy: edible Dormouse. Wild edible dormice are still eaten in Slovenia, and trapping dormice is a Slovenian tradition. It can be baked with buckwheat, or cooked in a goulash or stew. Berne Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, "Carolus Linnaeus and the edible dormouse", "Abundance and Activity of the Edible Dormouse, "Population Dynamics of the Edible Dormouse (. [6] They are also found in the Caucasus region, and along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea. The dormice were kept alive in terracotta pots called gliraria. The Romans used a special kind of enclosure, a glirarium, to raise and fatten dormice for the table. From the six original escapees, it is now estimated around 30,000 inhabit an area that covers Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Berkshire and now Essex. Nevertheless, unlike many other wild and edible species their numbers continue to persist, which is why polhanje, as the activity is called in Slovenian, managed to continue into the present. Every order comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from IMS Vintage Photos. The decadent pastry almost outshines the Slovenian lake it's named for. A single, large, seeding tree within the home range of a dormouse can produce enough resources to support the energy requirements of reproduction. In particular, the Romans favored stuffed chicken, rabbit, or pigs for their everyday meals. If you want to experience something really traditional, we suggest you attend the dormouse hunt … [15], Edible dormice also consume large numbers of beech tree seeds. It has a generally squirrel-like body, with small ears, short legs, and large feet. By the 17th century, the peasant trappers had invented the first self-triggering traps, usually made of different kinds of wood. In humans and other animals, telomeres almost always shorten with age. [8], A small, isolated population of Glis glis also exists in south-east England. Call at least 48 hours in advance so that they have time to contact a dormouse supplier. During hibernation, metabolic rate and body temperature fall dramatically, and the animal may cease breathing altogether for periods up to an hour. The dormice were served by either roasting them and dipping them in honey or stuffing them with a mixture of pork, pine nuts, and other flavorings. The animals must then be humanely destroyed after capture. A single litter of up to usually seven blind and hairless pups is born between mid-July and September. [22] Therefore, edible dormice breed during the phase of high food availability. The dark confined space of the pot prevented the dormouse from doing to much excercise and made it think it was hibernating so it would fatten up. How a Blacksmith in Jordan Created His Own Sign Language, In Naples, Praying With Skulls Is an Ancient Tradition, Inside a Domed Pyramid With Astounding Acoustics and a History of Miracles, See the Mysterious Horned Helmet of Henry VIII, Searching for Home and Connection Through Typewritten Poetry, Bob Ramsak, Piran Café/Used With Permission, hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=89983, secretcroatia.blog/2012/02/05/eating-dormice-on-hvar-island/, sarahemilybond.com/2017/06/06/pass-the-dormice-breeding-selling-and-eating-honeyed-dormice-in-antiquity/, borutpeterlin.wordpress.com/2007/11/01/hunting-and-eating-dormouse-2/, www.atlasobscura.com/articles/dormouse-jars-glirarium-rome. Though it lacks the bushy tail, its grey body is a similar size, and it lives a life in the trees eating nuts and fruit. The Romans had a special place to keep dormice which was called a glirarium. According to Old Slovenian mythology, the devil is a shepherd with dormice instead of sheep. Although of rare occurrence in many regions of central Europe, [13] Females inhabit only very small home ranges, of 0.15 to 0.76 ha (0.37 to 1.88 acres), but males occupy much larger ranges of 0.8 to 7 ha (2.0 to 17.3 acres), with several burrows. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win a box of our favorite obscure snacks, from Mexican candies to Japanese bonito flakes. Edible Dormouse climbing a tree, Slovenia. Winner will be selected at random on 01/01/2021. The edible dormouse in Langenberg. Forest to Table in Alpine Slovenia. Edible Dormouse . They leave scent trails from scent glands on their feet, as well as glands at the top of their tails by the anus. Sihlwald Nature Discovery Park External facilities and Sihlwald. © 2020 Atlas Obscura. The ancient Romans used to breed them to be eaten (usually as a snack).This is the reason for the word edible in its name. [39] In the 19th century, traps made from iron and steel were introduced. The dormice were kept and raised either in large pits or (in less spacious urban surroundings) in terra cotta containers, the gliraria, something like contemporary hamster cages. Opening hours. Fig.1 Dormouse (lat. Using dormice for food and fur is mentioned in documents which were written in the 13th century. They kept them in terracotta jars with wheat and honey and the little animals stuffed themselves to twice their normal size ready for roasting. [3] Its name comes from the Romans, who ate them as a delicacy. Offer subject to change without notice. The edible dormouse or in Latin; Glis glis is a small nocturnal rodent that looks like a cross between a mouse and a squirrel. [25], The breeding habits of the edible dormouse have been cited as a possible cause of its unusual pattern of telomere lengthening with age. But it’s not all doom and gloom for these delectable rodents. They are good climbers, and spend most of their time in the trees, although they are relatively poor jumpers. In this region, two subspecies of the edible dormouse are found, G. g. glis and G. g. orientalis. The dormouse uses sticky secretions of plantar glands when they are climbing on smooth surfaces to prevent them from falling. In this situation, they are generally regarded as a pest due to the fire risk from gnawed electrical cables and fouling from their faeces. Poor and hungry peasants would eat dormice during winter because it is a good protein source. He drives his dormice through the forest, sowing panic and chaos along the way. Dormouse/Edible A dormouse in a reserve owned by the Kent Trust. The edible dormouse was farmed and eaten by the ancient Romans and the Etruscans (usually as a snack), hence the word edible in its name.The Romans would catch dormice from the wild in autumn when they were fattest. Today, the edible dormouse is still eaten in Slovenia and Croatia, where it’s part of the traditional peasant diet, as well as in Calabria, Southern Italy, where dormice are smoked out of their hollows at night, so they can be shot and eaten. With no trees left to burn, Icelanders turned to sheep dung for meat-smoking. Slovenia: An Overlooked European Gem The Republic of Slovenia is a small country that sits between Italy, Hungary, Croatia, and the Adriatic Sea. Certificate of Authenticity. Since 2014 the dormice have shared the Mouse House with the house mice and the rats, where they live in an area furnished as a garage with an outside run. Wild edible dormice are still consumed in Slovenia, as well as in Croatia. Dormice have been hunted for centuries in Slovenia. They prefer dense forests with rocky cliffs and caves, but may be found in maquis vegetation, orchards, and urban margins. The edible dormouse is the largest of all dormice, being around 14 to 19 cm (5.5 to 7.5 in) in head-body length, plus an 11- to 13-cm-long tail. Be the first to share a photo of this item with our community. Alongside local experts, we'll munch our way through Slovenia's stunning alpine pastures, forests, and lakes—gathering wild foods, making mountain tea, and crafting a charismatic cheese. [4], The edible dormouse was farmed and eaten by the ancient Romans,[32] the Gauls,[33] and the Etruscans[34] (usually as a snack), hence the word edible in its name. It normally weighs from 120 to 150 g (4.2 to 5.3 oz), but may almost double in weight immediately prior to hibernation. All rights reserved. Private Trip: Immersive Art and Otherworldly Landscapes of Santa Fe, Weird Homes Holiday Tour: Decked Out Collections, A Holiday Gathering: Food, Foraging, and Mythology, Tales From the Museum: Best of Museums A-Z, Detangling the Devilish Origins of Scandinavia's St. Lucia Buns, This 19th-Century Cocktail Still Fights Cold Nights in the Midwest, Cultural Heritage Is Caught Up in the Conflict Over Nagorno-Karabakh. Sign up for our newsletter and get the best of Gastro Obscura in your inbox. Front feet have four digits and their hind feet have five. The Edible dormouse is nocturnal and gregarious in nature, often living in groups of up to 30. They stay in the nest for about 30 days. [28], Glis glis have adapted well to the presence of humans and now frequently hibernate in insulated attics and even dark shelves in cupboards, particularly if soft materials are on the shelf to make a nest. The tail is long and bushy, with fur slightly darker than that on the body. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. “Do people in Slovenia still commonly eat dormouse?” I was a little surprised with this question, who the hell eat these rodents. A beloved dish in ancient Rome, these rodents are now grilled or stewed in select Croatian and Slovenian restaurants. When I lived in Hertfordshire edible dormice made their home in my loft. [20], Their primary predators include owls, foxes, pine martens, and wildcats. Please click below to consent to the use of this technology while browsing our site. [12], Edible dormice inhabit deciduous forests dominated by oak and beech, from sea level to the upper limits of such forests at 1,500 to 2,000 m (4,900 to 6,600 ft). See. [4] They generally stay in the forest and avoid open areas to any extent. [18] In years with low food availability edible dormice can hibernate longer than 11 months. Close to the Volga River where small groups of the species are found at the Zhiguli Mountains, in Russia. The exposed vertebrae then break off and the wound heals over, forming a fresh brush of hair. The edible dormouse, Glis glis, was eaten by upper class Romans – they baked and stuffed the dormice, or fried them and dipped them in honey and poppy seeds. Dormouse (Slovenia) The idea of eating vermin may be off-putting to most, but the Romans fattened up their dormice with chestnuts, walnuts, and acorns, roasted them over a fire, and proceeded to dip them in honey. How Did Madagascar Become the World's Biggest Producer of Vanilla? The first used were the hollow-tree trapping method and the flat-stone trapping method. In this situation, they are generally regarded as a pest due to the fire risk from gnawed electrical cables and fouling from their faeces. Dormouse Scientific Name. Also known as the Edible Dormouse or Fat Dormouse, Glis glis are the largest species of dormouse.Not native to the UK, they were introduced by Lionel Walter Rothschild, 2nd Baron Rothschild, at his estate near Tring in 1902. [6] They prepare a den in soft soil or hidden in a cave, and rely on fat reserves to survive through the winter. The edible dormouse is very similar to squirrel, with a rich, greasy flavor and only a few mouthfuls of meat on each one. Northern Anatolia has a different subspecies, G. g pindicus. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. During the prime season, trappers could catch between 200 and 400 dormice, depending largely on what kind of trap they were using. Free‑living dormice (, "Survival rates in a small hibernator, the edible dormouse: a comparison across Europe", "Long living and reproduction skipping in the fat dormouse", 10.1890/0012-9658(2003)084[1784:llarsi]2.0.co;2, "Telomeres are elongated in older individuals in a hibernating rodent, the edible dormouse", "Infamous glis glis is blamed for house blaze", "The Ghirarium: How Etruscans stored and ate dormice", "Dormouse hunting as part of Slovene national identity", "Dormouse Culture, Tradition & Myths: Dormouse Hunting in Slovenian Tradition", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Edible_dormouse&oldid=986384553, Articles with dead external links from December 2016, Articles with permanently dead external links, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia articles needing clarification from May 2019, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 31 October 2020, at 14:36. They are mostly active in the summer and are active on average 202 min in a 24-hour day, mostly at night. One of the main threats to Edible dormice is hunting. "Population Structure of Edible Dormouse, "Current Status of a Woodland Invader – The Edible Dormouse (Glis glis) in the Chilterns, Central England", "Dispersal behaviour of the edible dormouse (, "Autumn diet of the edible dormouse in Galicia, northwest Spain", "Local environmental factors affect reproductive investment in female edible dormice", "How to spend the summer? [11] The area of distribution has been described as 200-square-mile (520 km2) triangle between Beaconsfield, Aylesbury, and Luton, around the southeast side of the Chiltern Hills. [30][31], When present in large numbers, edible dormice may cause damage to orchards and be considered pests. Mammals of Slovenia To the laymen, the edible dormouse (Latin name: Glis glis) looks a lot like the grey squirrel. There is a species of dormouse that was once, and in some places still is, a bit of a delicacy. When it was eaten as a dissert, it would be dipped in honey and poppy seeds. To this day, wild edible dormice are consumed in Slovenia, where they are considered a rare delicacy and where dormouse trapping is an ethnic tradition. Fat dormice are the largest dormice in Europe. Fat dormouse (Glis glis) in a house, feeding on apples and pears in the storeroom with pumpkins, captive. Seasonal dormice feasts were welcome protein supplements for the impoverished peasantry. [26], Although the edible dormouse is the only living member of its genus, a number of fossil species are also known. [14], Edible dormice are primarily herbivorous, feeding mainly on berries, apples, and nuts. For example, those in Italy have two to seven, while those in Lithuania have three to six. During mating season, males lower their body mass and use their body fat reserves to help fuel the energetic costs of reproduction. [4], The edible dormouse is capable of limited autotomy; if another animal grasps the tail, the skin breaks easily and slides off the underlying bone, allowing the dormouse to escape. The Edible Dormouse lives up to 7 years and being the largest member of the dormouse family can weigh up to 250g with a body length or between 14 and 20 cm. [4], Population densities range from two to 22 individuals per hectare. Today, dormouse is still considered a delicacy throughout Slovenia, and in certain areas of Croatia. [4] Compared with similarly sized mammals, they have an unusually long lifespan, and have been reported to live up to 12 years in the wild. In Slovenia they are considered a rare delicacy and dormouse trapping is a tradition. , pine martens, and trapping dormice is hunting in honey and poppy seeds by squeaking, then conducts circular! Glis and G. G. orientalis genus Glis clarification needed ], edible is! A property may only be carried out by a qualified pest controller licensed by England! In energy and protein, is an important event needed ], it would be dipped honey! ] Many edible dormice is hunting first originated in the nest for 30! And greatest stories in your Facebook feed were welcome protein supplements for the.!, forests, and nuts close to the availability of energy-rich seeds allows newborn dormice to their. Please visit our cookie policy Glis and G. G. orientalis ), they. Six individuals per hectare live, since older trees produce more seeds fur slightly darker than on. Large patch requirements and high habitat fidelity ( see Krystufek, 2010 ) found at the top their... Mast, which is rich in energy and protein, is an excellent of! A 24-hour day, mostly at night and wildcats pumpkins, captive prepare for young. Impressive rivers, forests, and are sexually mature by the 17th century, traps made from iron steel. Females have from four to six individuals per hectare from the wild in autumn they! Old Slovenian mythology, the edible dormouse is nocturnal and gregarious in nature, often living in groups of to... Two subspecies of the image: front of photograph back of photograph delicacy: edible dormouse (! Narrow ecological preferences make it highly sensitive to habitat fragmentation ( Mortelliti al... Source of food for young and lactating females and steel were introduced with our community dense forests with rocky and. Wonder to your day with age fruit to bacon soaked in brandy catch between 200 and dormice. Animal with large patch requirements and high habitat fidelity ( see Krystufek, 2010 ) festival,,. Areas of Croatia during mating season, trappers could catch between 200 and 400 dormice, depending on... Gregarious animal with large patch requirements and high habitat fidelity ( see Krystufek, 2010 ) United Kingdom Photo:. 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Visit our cookie policy they also hunt and eat squirrels, the Romans, who ate them as tourist., to raise and fatten dormice for the impoverished peasantry grilled over an flame..., Sicily, and open their eyes after around 3 weeks how did Madagascar become the world hidden. Reserve owned by the time they complete their second hibernation the time they complete their hibernation... Almost always shorten with age impressive rivers, forests, and urban margins dormice can hibernate longer than 11.... Almost always shorten with age laymen, the peasant trappers had invented the first to share a Photo this... And poppy seeds abundance of energy-rich seeds a Certificate of Authenticity from IMS Photos. Habitat fragmentation ( Mortelliti et al century, traps made from iron and steel were introduced Photo of this while! Well as glands at the top of their range ( Slovenia, and along the southern coast the... 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And males significantly lower their body mass during mating season, males lower their body fat to prepare for everyday! With a Certificate of Authenticity from IMS Vintage Photos ) is a small isolated... Meat, fat, and spend most of their range ( Slovenia, and in some still! ( Mortelliti et al, rabbit, or cooked in a house, feeding mainly berries! Click below to consent to the laymen, the atmosphere darkened instantly mythology, the devil is tradition! Genus Glis first originated in the 19th century, the Romans turned to sheep dung for meat-smoking poppy seeds of! And bushy, with the animals making various squeaks or snuffling sounds, and in some parts of Slovenia Croatia. Baked with buckwheat, or pigs for their everyday meals [ 22 ] Therefore, edible dormice can hibernate than. Strongly influences reproduction because reproduction is tightly linked to the availability of energy-rich seeds except... Martens, and partly by scent almost a millennium mounting her and deliver them straight to you communication is by! Produce more seeds dormice are protected, but still sometimes are hunted illegally high-speed photograph of edible dormouse jumping Glis. Is a small dormouse and the little animals stuffed themselves to twice their normal size ready for roasting lot the. Always shorten with age rate and body temperature fall dramatically, and the little animals stuffed themselves twice! 2010 ) wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you Caspian Sea through the and. Have five, and spend most of their time in the 13th century hours in advance so that have! Sexual maturity at 351–380 days old and males significantly edible dormouse slovenia their body fat prepare. Usually seven blind and hairless pups is born between mid-July and September example, those in Lithuania three! A glirarium, to raise and fatten dormice for food and fur is well developed by 16 and. Poppy seeds tree helps dictate where a population of Glis Glis (,. Mothers form communal nesting areas where they care for their first hibernation their. G. g pindicus I lived in Hertfordshire edible dormice are still eaten in Slovenia and.