Chubby dormouse gets stuck in bird feeder while feasting on seed
The furry creature was fattening itself up for hibernation
Last updated 19th Nov 2020
A chubby dormouse has got into a tight squeeze while plumping up for hibernation.
The cute creature got stuck in a bird feeder after feasting on seed mix in a garden in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight.
The homeowner freed the nocturnal rodent and released it unharmed.
Catherine Hadler, from Hampshire Dormouse Group, wrote on Instagram: "Today we got an SOS post asking for help and advice.
"The dormouse has entered the bird feeder and eaten so much bird food that it was too chubby to get out.
"What a chunk! Look at him!
"Just look at those fat rolls! I'd love to know how full the feeder was when it first got in there.
"Safe to say this fatty will survive hibernation just fine."
Britain's native hazel dormouse populations have declined by 51 per cent since 2000 because of habitat loss, according to Hampshire Dormouse Group.
Dormice are said to thrive on the Isle of Wight because of the absence of grey squirrels which compete for food.