Âé¶¹ÒùÔº


Mixed woodlands promote coexistence between red squirrels and dormice, study finds

Do red squirrels and dormice get along?
A red squirrel in the treetop of a Douglas fir. Credit: Pedro Mittelman

Can animals share the same space peacefully high above the ground in the treetops? A research team at the University of Göttingen has found that forests combining both deciduous and conifer trees make it easier for red squirrels and dormice to coexist.

Using cameras placed high in the canopy, scientists discovered that tend to prefer coniferous forests, while dormice are more commonly found in beech forests. However, in mixed forests that include both tree types, both species were observed living side by side. This suggests that mixed forests could play an important role in supporting biodiversity. The findings were in the European Journal of Wildlife Research.

The study took place in northern Germany and used 80 cameras placed between 2 and 30 meters above the ground in the trees. The researchers, with the help of professional climbers, had to climb up each tree to install, inspect and retrieve the cameras in the . Cameras automatically recorded animals, being activated by movement and heat when animals passed through their field of view.

During seven months of observation in 20 different forests, the researchers recorded 468 sightings of red squirrels and 446 of dormice. Among the dormice sightings were 249 edible dormice and 197 hazel dormice. These observations allowed the team to analyze how the presence of each species was linked to the number of beech trees and the presence of other tree-dwelling mammal species.

"Our results show that and red squirrels are not avoiding each other. In fact, they can live together quite well in mixed forests," says lead author Pedro Mittelman, a Ph.D. researcher in Wildlife Sciences at the University of Göttingen. "This is great news—it shows that forestry management systems combining tree species can benefit wildlife."

  • Do red squirrels and dormice get along?
    A hazel dormouse (also known as the common dormouse or Muscardinus avellanarius) on the canopy of a European beech tree at night when it is active. Credit: Pedro Mittelman
  • Do red squirrels and dormice get along?
    Lead author Pedro Mittelman, University of Göttingen, climbing a beech tree to install a camera for monitoring tree-dwelling small mammals. Credit: Pedro Mittelman

The research team highlights the value of cultivating a mixture of trees as a way to support biodiversity, even in areas managed for timber production.

This study is part of the graduate program EnriCo ("Enrichment of European beech forests with conifers: impacts of functional traits on ecosystem functioning") at the University of Göttingen.

More information: Pedro Mittelman et al, Mixed broadleaf–conifer forests promote coexistence of red squirrels and dormice, European Journal of Wildlife Research (2025).

Citation: Mixed woodlands promote coexistence between red squirrels and dormice, study finds (2025, July 3) retrieved 19 July 2025 from /news/2025-07-woodlands-coexistence-red-squirrels-dormice.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Managing diverse and diverging demands on forests in Germany

0 shares

Feedback to editors