European Fat/Edible Dormouse
In Crete, the primary population of edible dormice can be found within the Samaria Gorge.
The edible dormouse (Glis glis argenteus) represents a subspecies of the widespread dormouse found across Europe and western Asia. In Crete, its primary population thrives within the Samaria Gorge.
These creatures can grow up to 20 cm in length, boasting a grey back and head adorned with distinctive eye circles. Resembling squirrels, they possess large, rounded ears, small eyes, and a tufted tail, while also equipped with claws for climbing trees.
Edible dormice reside within forests and orchards, seeking refuge in tree hollows that they camouflage with branches. They reproduce once annually, giving birth to 4-6 offspring, which reach maturity at the age of 2 years. Female members of the species attract males for mating through distinctive whistling-like sounds and the emission of an enticing odour.
Edible dormice are creatures that are active both day and night, and they exhibit remarkable agility, capable of leaping into trees with impressive jumps of up to 10 metres. They possess well-developed sensory faculties, including sight, hearing, smell, and touch. While they are omnivorous, their primary diet consists of leaves, seeds, and various fruits.
This species enters a state of hibernation, creating burrows typically dug at the end of summer. While in hibernation, they accumulate a significant amount of fat in their bodies.
Photo: gezafarkas Via create.vista
The fauna of Crete
The Cretan endemic butterfly Zerynthia cretica
Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus Barbatus)
Griffon Vulture (Gyps Fulvus)
Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni)
Bonelli's eagle (Aquila fasciata) (Hieraaetus fasciatus)
Eleonora's Falcon
The European Rabbit or Coney
Giorgalidiko: Domestic Horse, North-western European Horse
The Cretan Badger
Golden Eagle (Aquila Chrysaetos)
Mute Swan
Cretan wildcat
Butterflies and Moths of the island
Cretan Tracker: Europe's Oldest Hound, a Gift from Zeus
Cretan shrew
Kri-kri, the Cretan Wild Goat (Capra aegagrus cretica)
Least Weasel
Bats
The Balkan Terrapin or Western Caspian Terrapin (Mauremys Rivulata)
Cat Snake
Balkan Whip Snake
Marginated Tortoise (Testudo marginata)
Greek turtle
Water Snake
European Ratsnake or Leopard Snake
The Bullfrog
The European Green Toad
Common Kingfisher
Caretta Caretta (Loggerhead Sea Turtle)
Coleoptera
Fossil Vertebrates of Crete
Hippopotamus creutzburgi
Athene cretensis
Elephas chaniensis
Endemic Pleistocene mammals
Deinotherium giganteum