The Micro Squirrel (Graphiurus murinus), while also known as the Woodland Dormouse, has many other names. They are small animal companions who are very hardy and adaptable — and they tend to have unforgettable personalities to boot!
Micro Squirrels are social animals who can communicate with one another in tiny and unique vocalizations. Don’t let their small size fool you; they make great companions and enjoy interacting with humans.
WHERE THEY LIVE
Micro Squirrels are native throughout the African continent, from the Sahara Desert to the Cape Province of South Africa.
They are a very adaptable species and can survive in a wide range of habitats, from terrestrial to arboreal. They would usually nest in hollowed trees, shrubs, tree branches, Birds’ nests, rock crevices, and even abandoned Bee hives.
They can thrive well in various habitats as long as they are able to get enough food and water nearby.
WHAT THEY EAT
The Woodland Dormouse is an omnivore. This means that they can eat Insects, eggs, fruits, seeds, flower buds, smaller Rodents, newly hatched Chicks, and vegetables.
As long as it is edible and non-toxic for them, they will probably give it a go. The variety in their diet is mainly due to the wide range in their habitat that also has different seasons. In the wild, Micro Squirrels would eat food that is readily available during that season, so they are well-adapted to eating a variety of food.
HOW THEY COMMUNICATE
The Micro Squirrel can communicate effectively in the wild and in captivity, which is partly why they are reputed to have big personalities. Once you interact with them long enough, you may eventually learn how to decode some of their tiny vocalizations.
Since they are naturally nocturnal animals, they are more active at night, which means that they usually interact in a low-visibility environment. They then need to communicate through vocalizations that are just soft enough for them to understand each other, but not loud enough to alert potential predators of their presence.
Their vocalization sounds like a sequence of tiny squeaks that changes depending on whether they are communicating about threats, mating, or food.
On the other hand, they also communicate through their scent, especially during mating or territorial behavior. However, their scent can’t be detected by humans, and they are virtually odorless to us. A strong odor will make them easily detectable to potential predators, so they are the only ones who can sense each other in this way.
Micro Squirrels are social animals, so effective communication is essential for them to thrive, especially in the wild.
HOW THEY MATE
Micro Squirrels make great animal companions, and they also tend to enjoy human interactions as long as they are handled properly.
They are very active and intelligent animals who enjoy enrichment in their enclosures. Since they are becoming more popular as animal companions, scientists have made some recommendations for an ideal enclosure with enrichments, such as the ones below.
- Low nest box
- Elevated nest box
- Middle nest box
- Branches for climbing
- Wheel for running
- Thick substrate to encourage digging
Photos by JEFFREY LIM
