Awesome Animal Fact - Lazy Dormouse

Did you know the European edible dormouse can hibernate for over 11 months of the year? This rodent is larger than most dormice, and it is common throughout most of Europe and into western Asia. The edible portion of its name came from the Romans, who considered it a culinary delicacy.

The edible dormouse normally hibernates for about six months each year, depending on the climatic conditions. However, when conditions get harsh, and food scarce, they can hibernate for over 11 months. Even during the months when the edible dormouse is not hibernating, it is active only about 200 minutes each day.

Wait... let's think about this. During a normal year, an edible dormouse is active only six months, and only 200 minutes each day. There are about 525,600 minutes (8,760 hours) in a year. But the dormouse is only active 200 minutes per day for six months, which totals 36,000 minutes (600 hours). So, that means, in a normal year, the dormouse is active only 6.8% of the entire year!

And in a stressful year, when they hibernate 11 months, they are active only 100 hours the entire year. That's only 1.14% of the year.

Lazy little suckers. Or, maybe they've figured out how to live the good life.

Photo Credits:
- Edible dormouse - DepositPhotos