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Dormouse


Dormouse
Photo Information
Copyright: Terry Longley (wideload) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 210 W: 5 N: 1027] (3737)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 10D, Canon EF 28-135 IS + ext tube, ISO 100
Exposure: f/8, 1/200 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-02-05 16:19
Viewed: 1025
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius)

This attractive rodent can be easily distinguished from mice by its long, fluffy tail. One of the smaller members of the family of dormice, it has bright golden fur on its back and a pale, cream-coloured underside. The dormouse has large eyes, which betray its strictly nocturnal existence.

Range
The dormouse is found across Europe as Far East as the Ural Mountains and south to the Mediterranean. In the UK its range is largely restricted to the south of England and Wales. Even here it is threatened by loss and fragmentation of its habitat.

Habitat
The dormouse lives in dense, deciduous woodland, coppice and thick shrubbery. Hazel coppice is a preferred habitat and the dormouse builds spherical nests of grass and honeysuckle bark situated a few feet from the ground. Here it spends the greater part of the day before emerging after dark to forage high in the canopy.

Biology
Dormice feed high up in the trees on a variety of food. They eat flowers and pollen during the spring, fruit in summer and nuts, particularly hazel nuts, in autumn. It is thought that insects are taken too. This variety of food must be available within a small area, a requirement that limits the suitability of some sites for dormice.

Dormice become sexually mature at one year old and their breeding season is from May to September. They produce between two and seven young and can raise two litters a year. The young dormice stay with their mother until they are about ten weeks old. As well as their grass-woven nests, dormice are known to use tree cavities and boxes for rearing young. They hibernate in nests built just below ground.

Conservation
The common dormouse is no longer 'common'. Because of its serious decline, it is listed as a UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) species. English Nature have also included it in their Species Recovery Programme (SRP).

Status
Classified as Lower Risk-near threatened by the IUCN Red List and Vulnerable in the UK. Listed under Appendix III of the Berne Convention and Annex IV of the European Habitats & Species Directive.

This shot was taken under strict controlled conditions, with the assistance of a local wildlife centre, which is involved in a captive breeding program, to release Dormice back into the wild.
nainnain, coasties, cicindela, Janice, lovenature, manyee, TAZ, keanhoon, pvs, wuta, jmp has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

hello
tres adorable ce petit animal, belles couleurs et supers détails
bonne pose et petit oeil coquin
bravo, merci du partage

amitiès
edith

Hi Terry

What a cute face. I have to say, not the best I have seen from you. Looks as if in the post process work it has been over sharpened. Something not quite right in the quality of the shot, but the composition and colours are both good. TFS.

Dear Terry,
This is a very nice portrait! :) I really like this presentation because of bery good DOF and interesting POV (the pouse of this mammal is really funny! ;>).
The note is also very informative and usefull.
TFS and best regards,
Radomir

Hello Terry
Firstly this little Dormouse is adorable, he really caught my eye.
You captured him nicely with this close up. I love how he has a little sparkle in his eyes. Excellent that his feet show so much detail. Wonderful colour and lighting.
Sad to hear they are in decline in certain areas.
TFS Janice

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1676 W: 5 N: 2144] (11878)
  • [2007-02-05 22:18]

Superbe capture,le sujet est très mignon.
Merci!
Joseph

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3073 W: 232 N: 5866] (19730)
  • [2007-02-06 0:31]

Hello Terry,
What a cutie that is. : )
I guess we don't have these little rodents in America.
You got this one with wonderful details and light.
Those eyes could melt your heart.
TFS. : )

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2385 W: 50 N: 3184] (10918)
  • [2007-02-06 1:46]

Hello Terry,
This little fellow is so cute.
The "+++" : subject, pose, expression, composition, sharpness, colors, exposure, useful note...
The "-" : nothing...
Congratulations and TFS.

Hello terry,

welcome back, great colors Bg POV DOF nicly composed and capture photro the details are crisp, well done

TFS Kyle

Dear Terry,
Very cute indeed. I like the expression and sharpness,
TFS
Regards,
Ken

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1149 W: 254 N: 2555] (11569)
  • [2007-02-06 9:46]

Hi Tery,

an exclusive shot you show us here,well captured wit great colors details and sharrpness,I hope she will make it in the wild,but I think it will be more difficult to spot her again,

well done and TFS

Paul

  • Great 
  • wuta Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 871 W: 2 N: 606] (2034)
  • [2007-02-06 13:37]

Hello Terry , A Great shot from the mousse ,lovely beast nice pose good eye contact details pov and bg , tfs ,greetings Teunie .

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1474 W: 18 N: 2990] (10972)
  • [2007-02-25 3:57]

Wow I have never seen one of these let alone have the opportunity to photograph one. This is just a beautiful shot with the bright eyes and the almost too cute pose. Wonderfully sharp and with lovely colours.

TFS

Karan

  • Great 
  • jmp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1836 W: 94 N: 2338] (8400)
  • [2007-02-25 12:02]

Hi Terry,
I like this dormouse so well captured. Excellent details, pose, exposure and composition. I enjoy note too.
TFS, José M.

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