Living underground: Edible Dormouse (Glis glis) activity in the underground shelters during the active period

The Edible Dormouse ( Glis glis) uses different types of shelters at particular times the year. During hibernation, they are found in underground cavities or sometimes caves, while during active periods mostly use above-ground shelters: tree hollows nest boxes. Selection such thermally varied is result physiological requirements both and non-active periods, choosing a lower constant temperature hibernation higher mating, gestation, lactation. However, this species also observed outside hibernation. It possible that caves as alternative adverse weather conditions food shortages. We examined annual circadian activity G. glis two (Czestochowska Upland, southern Poland). Research was conducted for three years (2019 – 2021) using non-invasive method: camera-traps. evaluated climatic parameters inside availability main diet (beech seeds, Fagus sylvatica ). Our research indicates year-round presence caves. Dynamics their vary between seasons (masting vs non-masting), but similar sites within cave highest full masting season intermediate lowest mast failure Circadian phenological periods: from 24-hour beginning (mating period), to becoming exclusively nocturnal remaining period. These results may indicate that, apart being used regular daily shelter dormice.