Japanese dormouse
A small, nocturnal rodent native to Japan, known for its long hibernation period.
The Japanese dormouse is a species endemic to Japan, and it hibernates for a long period during winter.
Usually written in katakana; usually written in kana.
Hiragana spelling, also common.
Kanji form meaning 'mountain rat/mouse'; rarely used.
Kanji form meaning 'hibernation mouse'; rarely used.
The name ヤマネ (yamane) literally means 'mountain rat' or 'mountain mouse', from 山 (yama, 'mountain') and 鼠 (nezumi, 'rat/mouse'). The kanji 冬眠鼠 (hibernation mouse) refers to its long hibernation.