Question: The Hazel Dormouse population can get bigger again by looking inside their genes. However, how could looking inside of the Dormouses genes helps humans/human life? Also how can humans help the Dormouse from becoming extinct?

Hazel Dormouse answered on 3 Nov 2017:

Rodents are enormously varied within their family, Rodentia. The largest, Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), is the ONLY semi-aquatic in its family but still related to the very different Naked Mole Rat (Heterocephalus glaber) who lives to live in tunnels underground. A whole genome sequence of the Naked Mole Rat was completed and it was discovered they are the longest living of their genus AND they have anti-cancer properties! This information from there genes is now being used by other scientists to see if we can use it for treating humans! Who knows what could be uncovered with the Hazel Dormouse, but I think it is especially interesting to learn more about the genes that help them to hibernate for over half the year.

There are lots of ways for humans to help the Hazel Dormouse. Because they are losing a lot of their habitat, the best thing you can do is making nest boxes for them. They can sleep and have their young in a safe place and they may even return year after year. If you want to make a nest box I advise getting one ready for when they wake up in May so they can build a nest and have their babies in June/July.