The Family Petromuridae, commonly known as dormice, consists of small, nocturnal rodents primarily found in Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia. They are characterized by their large eyes, long bushy tails, and soft fur, adaptations for a largely arboreal and nocturnal lifestyle. Dormice are omnivorous, feeding on fruits, nuts, seeds, and insects, and are known for their remarkable ability to enter long periods of hibernation to survive food-scarce seasons. They typically live in forests or dense shrublands, nesting in tree cavities or leaf nests, and play important ecological roles in seed dispersal and as prey for larger predators.