In recent years, Milan has welcomed an unexpected guest: the Moscardinoa small arboriculian rodent known for his reserved and night life. Usually associated with deficiency woodsthis tiny mammal – long Less than ten centimeters and color hair orange – He began to get noticed even in urban parkslike the North Park and the green areas between Albairate and Cesano Boscone.
An important signal for urban biodiversity
The presence of Moscardino in the city is not just a zoological curiosity. It is above all a bioindicatorthat is, a species that signals the good quality of the environment in which she lives. To survive, in fact, this rodent needs complex habitatswith stratified vegetation and one Good availability of food and natural shelters. Seeing it in the Milanese parks means that those green spaces are reaching levels of ecological maturity worthy of more “wild” forest environments.
No, it’s not a hamster
Moscardino is often confused with a hamsterbut it is distinguished by the thick tailThe big eyes and behavior extremely shy. It builds spherical nests with dry leaves and moves with agility between branches and bushes. Active above all to the twilight and at nightfeeds on hazelnutsberries, insects and even small eggs. With the arrival of the cold, it is prepared for the hibernationwhich can last even six months, during which it remains hidden in a deeper nest at the ground level.
Urban nature: an ecosystem that grows
The return of the Moscardino is just one of the many signals that indicate a positive evolution of the urban fauna. Milan, like other large cities, is becoming increasingly hospitable for wild animals. Renaissance projects, care of parks and creation of ecological corridors are making green areas ideal environments for one richest biodiversitywith Benefits also for human beings, between pollination, balance of insects and air quality. And all this, also thanks to a tiny rodent with refined tastes and nightlife.
