June 4, 2025, 7:09 am | Read time: 2 minutes
The Garden Animal of the Year 2025 has been decided, and the result could hardly have been clearer. It is the garden dormouse. This native wild animal has now been honored with the award by the Heinz Sielmann Foundation.
With 39.7 percent, the garden dormouse has emerged as the Garden Animal of the Year 2025, beating its competitors. A total of 3,648 votes out of 9,181 went to the small nocturnal rodent. Other candidates included the skull hoverfly, the grass frog, the sparrowhawk, the garden banded snail, and the buff-tip moth.
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How the Garden Animal is Chosen
For 15 years, the Heinz Sielmann Foundation has been calling for the public to vote for the Garden Animal of the Year. This initiative draws attention to the ecological importance of gardens and the sometimes dramatic decline of certain animal species. Those who wanted to cast their vote could participate online until June 3, 2025.
Why the Garden Dormouse Was Chosen as the Garden Animal 2025
“The garden dormouse has become rare and is considered highly endangered in Germany. It is all the more gratifying that as the newly elected ‘Garden Animal of the Year 2025,’ it is now receiving special attention,” explains Florian Amrhein from the Heinz Sielmann Foundation in a press release.
The garden dormouse (Eliomys quercinus) is easily recognized by its distinctive black facial markings, resembling a “Zorro mask” that stretches from the eyes to the ears—a striking feature that sets it apart from other dormouse species. Its fur ranges from gray to brown, and its tail is bushy. Garden dormice are primarily active at dusk and night. They are considered highly skilled climbers and move confidently both on the ground and in trees.
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The Importance of the Garden Dormouse for the Garden
The garden dormouse is an omnivore: its diet includes insects, snails, seeds, and fruits. This makes it an important contributor to the ecological balance, such as by spreading plant seeds. In Germany, the garden dormouse is considered highly endangered according to the Red List.
As its habitat continues to shrink, it is increasingly important to preserve and create natural structures. “Those who design their gardens in a natural and structured way can do a lot of good for the little rodent with the Zorro mask and many other species,” explains Amrhein. A naturally designed garden with old trees, shrubs, hedges, and suitable shelters—such as nesting boxes—can help the garden dormouse find a habitat.