The Japanese dormouse is a small animal resembling a mouse or squirrel with a mouth to tail of about 13 cm. It is also called a "living fossil" because it is an endemic species of Japan that has lived for millions of years.
In November last year, a two-month-old dormouse that seemed to have been separated from its mother was found at a villa in Fujimi Town at the foot of Mt. Yatsugatake. Volunteers commissioned by the prefecture to rescue wild injured birds and animals have been taking care of it.