African Dormouse

African dormice (genus Graphiurus) are small, bushy-tailed rodents that live in trees and bushes across Africa south of the Sahara. The species most often kept as a pet is the woodland dormouse, sold as the African pygmy dormouse and sometimes nicknamed the “micro squirrel” because it looks like a tiny squirrel.

Scientific Classification & Quick Facts

Common name	African dormouse
Scientific name	Graphiurus murinus
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Rodentia
Family	Gliridae
Genus	Graphiurus
Conservation status	Least Concern
Type	Small nocturnal tree-climbing rodent
Diet	Flowers, fruit, insects, berries, nuts and nectar
Size	Body 6-19 cm long
Weight	15-180 g (varies by species)
Lifespan	Up to 5 years
Special feature	Long hibernation; no cecum in gut

Anatomy

There are around 15 species of African dormice. Depending on the species, the head and body measure roughly 7 to 16 cm (3 to 6 inches), plus a fluffy tail. The pet woodland dormouse is at the small end, weighing only about 20 to 30 g (under 1 ounce).

African dormice look rather like mice, but with soft gray fur, big dark eyes, rounded ears and a bushy tail. They are built for climbing, with grippy feet that let them run along branches and even up walls. Like other dormice, they have a very good sense of hearing and talk to each other with squeaks, chirps and whistles that can sound like insects or birds.

Behavior

African dormice are nocturnal, which means they sleep during the day and become active at night. They are lightning fast, racing around branches and pouncing on insects.

European dormice are famous for their long winter hibernation, but African dormice live in warmer places. When it gets cold or food is scarce, some can drop into short periods of torpor, a deep, energy-saving sleep. Pet dormice kept at a steady room temperature usually stay active all year.

Habitat

African dormice are found only in Africa, from West Africa across to Ethiopia and down to South Africa. They live in forests, woodlands, savanna and rocky areas, nesting in tree holes, rock crevices and sometimes in the roofs of houses. Their relatives, the other dormice, live in Europe and Asia.

As a Pet

African pygmy dormice are not cuddly pets. They are too fast and nervous to be petted or played with, and they are happiest in small groups. But they are great fun to watch in the evening, zooming around their enclosure and chasing crickets. If you are thinking about keeping them, check that they are legal where you live and buy from a reputable breeder.

Breeding

In the wild, African dormice usually breed once or twice a year. After a pregnancy of about 24 days, the mother gives birth to a litter of about 2 to 5 babies, often around 4. The newborns are tiny, pink and hairless, and their eyes stay closed until they are about 18 days old. They grow up quickly, and in captivity African dormice often live 4 to 6 years.

Housing

Dormice need a tall enclosure, as they love to climb. A large glass vivarium or tank with a fine mesh lid works well, because they can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps. Fill it with branches, ropes made of natural fibers such as sisal, and plenty of perches at different heights.

Provide several nest boxes, at least one more than the number of dormice, so no one gets left out. Hang some high up on branches or fix them to the walls. They like boxes with small entrance holes, such as the wooden nest boxes made for small birds like blue tits. Wooden boxes are cozy, but plastic ones are easier to clean, so many keepers use both.

Food

African dormice are omnivores. In the wild they eat insects, seeds, nuts, fruit, berries and flowers, and they visit flowering trees, such as acacia, for blossoms and nectar. Interestingly, dormice are one of the few rodent families that do not have a cecum, a pouch in the gut that other rodents use to break down tough plant material. That means they need easy-to-digest food rather than lots of leaves and grass.

A good pet diet includes a quality seed and insect mix, plenty of live insects such as crickets and mealworms, and small pieces of fresh fruit such as blueberries, papaya and melon. Keepers usually avoid citrus fruits, which are too acidic. Sweet treats like nectar mixes or honey should be given only in tiny amounts now and then. Dormice do not drink much, but fresh water should always be available in a shallow dish or bottle. A vet who knows exotic pets can help with diet questions.

Handling

African dormice are very difficult to handle because they are so quick, and like other dormice they can lose the skin of their tail if grabbed by it, so never pick one up by the tail. The best time to move them, for example when cleaning the enclosure, is during the day when they are sleepy in their nest boxes. Lift the whole nest box out gently, and work in a closed room, because an escaped dormouse is very hard to catch.

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African dormouse FAQs

Related: squirrels