How it fits into North Yorkshire wildlife
Hazel dormice cling on in pockets of well-connected woodland and old hedgerow networks across parts of northern England. Where habitats have been simplified, they have quietly disappeared.
How it interacts with the wider landscape
They feed on hazelnuts, flowers, berries and insects through the year, weaving together the hedgerow and woodland food web in a single small life.
Seasonal rhythm
They are active from spring to autumn, then hibernate in tight nests on the ground from late autumn through winter - sometimes for over half the year.
Where to look and what to notice
Look for neatly opened hazelnuts with a smooth round hole, woven nests in scrub, and signs of well-linked woodland with a rich understorey.