Garden sleeper is the garden animal of 2025: Protect the biodiversity!

Garden sleeper is the garden animal of 2025: Protect the biodiversity!

Deutschland - The Heinz-Sielmann Foundation chose the garden sleeper as the "garden animal of 2025". This decision, which was made online by June 3, 2025, aims to draw attention to the ecological importance of this often overlooked animal species. The garden sleeper competed in competition with five other animal species, including the sparrow, the skull fly, the garden ligament snail, the grass frog and the extension foot. The election period ended one day before the announcement, which received great attention.

The garden sleeper (Eliomys quercinus), a representative of the Bilche family, is characterized by its striking, dark facial fur, which looks like a small mask. The animal species is particularly active at dusk and at night. The garden sleeper cleverly climbs through trees and shrubs as it moves quickly on the ground. As an omnivore, he feeds on insects, snails, berries and seeds, which makes him an important regulatory element in domestic gardens.

ecological importance and threat

The garden sleeper plays a crucial role in the natural balance and contributes to the spread of plants. At the same time, the species is considered to be very endangered, since its habitat was significantly reduced by tidy gardens, area sealing and the decline in natural areas. The number of garden sleepers has been greatly decimated in recent years. Protective measures are urgently required to obtain these small, nightly companions.

dr. Hannes PetriChak from the Heinz-Sielmann Foundation emphasizes the importance of natural gardens for the biodiversity preservation. According to the Sielmann Foundation, the garden sleeper needs retreats such as old trees with caves, thick dead wood as well as dense bushes and piles of stone. The use of pesticides and rat poison should be avoided because they can endanger the life of the animals.

Contribution to biodiversity in the garden

The choice of garden sleeper to the garden animal of the year emphasizes the important contribution of gardens to promote biodiversity. In Germany, over 5% of the species are extinct or classified as "missing", while almost 30% are considered endangered. Even small garden areas contribute to the preservation of biodiversity by creating habitats for a wide variety of living things.

The Plantura website gives numerous tips to promote biodiversity in your own garden. This includes the use of domestic plants, the creation of retreats for benefits, the waiver of chemical pesticides and the creation of "wild corners" or flower meadows. These measures are essential to improve the living conditions for endangered types such as garden sleepers and to strengthen the biodiversity.