Edible dormice have to accumulate an adequate amount of body fat before hibernation. Because young dormice are born late in the season, they have a relatively short time for prehibernation fattening. The aim of our study was a) to determine what body mass juveniles reach prior to hibernation, and b) to examine patterns of mass gain in juvenile dormice with unlimited food supply. Dormice were kept in outdoor cages, fitted with wooden boxes and with the floor covered with soil suitable for hibernation. They were provided with water and fed ad libitum. |
