Where do small mammals hibernate/ overwinter?

[Littlesparrow]

What sort of habitat do small mammals hibernate or over winter in? Can the average gardener do anything to help provide suitable areas for this? Without disturbing any sleepy animals, does anyone have any pictures of small animals in their wintering homes?

[aeshna5]

Most small mammals don't hibernate. The only UK mammals ones that do are Dormice, bats + Hedgehogs. All other species remain active; voles for instance will create runs below the snow if necessary..

[RobSutton]

Things like Woodmice and Bank Voles survive well under snow so long as the ground wasn't frozen hard before the snow fell. We diid a Longworth trapping session with some school children last week and caught good numbers of Woodmice even though the ground had been well covered by snow for most of the period from about 25th November. Once the snow goes you can see the runs the mice make pretty clearly showing they remain active under the snow.

[Littlesparrow]

I don't know how to transfer info onto here but there is an interesting article on The Mail on Line about a Dormouse someone found in their garden when clearing leaves and some cute pictures. If you know you have dormouse visitors would it be safer to provide nest boxes?

[Richard Baber]

Originally Posted by Littlesparrow

I don't know how to transfer info onto here but there is an interesting article on The Mail on Line about a Dormouse someone found in their garden when clearing leaves and some cute pictures. If you know you have dormouse visitors would it be safer to provide nest boxes?

Here's the link: Dormouse blissfully unaware he was saved from the jaws of death | Mail Online.

[Littlesparrow]

Thanks Richard.

[Littlesparrow]

I have a mouse in my shed but until I humanely catch it i don't know what sort it is.

[Cowgirl]

What a sweet picture, hope the little guy will be ok, although if he is being monitored by wildlife centre I'm sure he will be.

Presumably when he wakes up in spring they'll have to put him back where he was found?

[Littlesparrow]

I understand protected animal have to go back where they were found unless its dangerous.

[~T~]

Originally Posted by Richard Baber

Here's the link: Dormouse blissfully unaware he was saved from the jaws of death | Mail Online.

Wonder if that was in someones vegetable patch....