Dormice chipped in species survey

Little is known about the social organisation of dormice

Dormice in north Wales have been fitted with tiny microchips to help scientists find out more about the animals.

More than 80 dormice have been chipped in Wrexham and Denbighshire as part of a project by the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) and other bodies.

When scanned, the microchips will provide information on life expectancy, population size and breeding rates.

Little is currently known about the social organisation of the dormouse, which is a protected species.

Matthew Ellis, of the CCW, said: "Chipping has provided information that we would have had no way of gathering."

Dormice, which grow to just 65-85mm in length, are believed to spend up to three quarters of their five-year lifespan asleep.

The dormice are anaesthetised before being microchipped

The microchips used measure 8mm and give each animal an unique number, which can be read using a scanner.

Surveys of the chipped dormice over the next two years will provide data on life expectancy, population size, breeding success and the movements of young animals from the box in which they were born.

To minimise stress to the dormice during chipping, the animals are removed from nest boxes, where they sleep during the day, and anaesthetised before being microchipped.

They are then given oxygen to bring them round and replaced in their nests.

'Extremely timid'

Dormice have been chipped on two sites - at Bontuchel, near Ruthin and at Wych Brook, on the Cheshire and Wrexham county boundary between Malpas and Whitchurch.

Matthew Ellis, CCW Species and Biodiversity Officer, said: "Dormice are very difficult to survey as they are extremely timid, and nocturnal so not easily spotted.

He added: "This is a joint project between the CCW, English Nature, Forestry Commission Wales, Cheshire Wildlife Trust and Chester Zoo and it shows what can be achieved when we work together.

"We hope to gain more information about the habits of these elusive creatures and this will be extremely useful in planning and delivering more effective dormouse conservation in the future."

Similar microchipping projects have been used to gather information on species including hedgehogs, bats, marine turtles and whales.