Tiny dormice make a big comeback!

Good news for one of Britain's tiny sleepy mammals.

Tiny hazel dormice, known for their fluffy tails and love of snoozing may be making a comeback in England and Wales.

For years their numbers have declined and the creature had pretty much disappeared from lots of the countryside.

However, new data suggests hazel dormouse numbers increased between 2020-2025.

Since 1998, a team of wildlife experts from the conservation charity People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) has been keeping a close eye on dormice in England and Wales.

Sadly, their research shows that dormouse numbers have fallen a lot.

Since 2000, dormouse numbers had dropped by almost 60%.

But recent findings have shown that this trend may be changing with data suggesting the population increased by almost 10% between 2020 and 2025.

However, researchers have stressed there is still uncertainty around that estimation.

The possible good news comes after a spell of warmer and drier springs and summers than usual.

Scientists believe these conditions may help dormice survive by boosting food supplies and reducing the time the animals spend asleep.

However, conservationists say there are still many questions unanswered about what has caused the possible growth in numbers and that protecting the woodlands and hedgerows where dormice live remains essential to their long-term survival.