Dormouse (Gliridae) status in Lithuania and surrounding countries: a review

Abstract

Abstract. Lithuania and surrounding countries are situated in the northern part of dormouse (Gliridae) distribution ranges. Garden dormouse may be extinct in all these countries because the last observations of this species were recorded in the end of 20th century. Fat dormouse is rare and declining in Lithuania and surrounding countries because of destruction of their habitats – felling of mature oakdominated forests. Forest dormouse is rare because western limit of is distribution range goes through Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. Status of the hazel dormouse is different in the countries concerned. This species is common and widespread in Lithuania, but red-listed in Latvia and Belarus, and absent in large deforested areas in Poland. The hazel dormouse may be extinct in Estonia, but common and not threatened in southern Sweden. In different countries, status of the hazel dormouse depends on anthropogenic influence on its habitats and probably also on investigation level. Some outdated information on distribution and status of some dormouse species is presented in the IUCN red lists.