Rock dormouse
The rock dormouse, also known as the flat-headed African dormouse (Graphiurus platyops), is a small rodent in the dormouse family. It is native only to southern Africa, living in Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, Eswatini, Zambia and Zimbabwe, mostly above 600 meters.
It hides in cracks and crevices among rocks, such as rocky hills, cliffs and piles of boulders, and is sometimes found in caves. Its skull is flattened to squeeze through narrow openings.
The rock dormouse is mainly nocturnal, but may be active early in the morning. It is a solitary animal and warns intruders by slapping its tail and making soft calls; if the intruder persists, it may give a louder warning and fight.
Size-wise, it is moderate for a dormouse: body length about 95–122 mm, tail 65–98 mm, and weight 30–53 g. Its fur on the back is grey to grey-brown, with white or cream underparts and a clear line between the colors. The crown matches the back color, the muzzle is lighter, and the ears are large with big eyes and a dark eye mask. Cheeks are white and form a band to the shoulders. Hind feet are usually white, and the tail is grey with white hairs and a white tip, with longer hair at the end (up to about 30 mm).
Its diet is omnivorous, including seeds, plant material and insects. It is common in suitable rocky habitats and occurs in several protected areas. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern, meaning it is not currently at risk of extinction.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 00:45 (CET).