mammals
at Dunsany
Dunsany’s rewilding efforts have created a safe haven for a growing number of native mammals. From foxes and pine martens to badgers and bats, each playing a vital role in restoring balance to the land.
The Importance of Mammals in Rewilding
Mammals are warm-blooded animals with fur or hair, and females nurse their young. They play a crucial role in healthy ecosystems: controlling pests, spreading seeds, and supporting the food chain.
At Dunsany Estate, the return of species like deer, foxes, and pine martens signals a thriving, balanced landscape. Their presence helps shape and restore the land, making them essential to the estate’s ongoing rewilding efforts.
Learn about the Mammals in Dunsany Estate
Mammals in Dunsany Estate
Red Deer (Cervus elaphus)
Ireland’s largest land mammal
Coat changes with the seasons: red-brown in summer, brown-grey in winter
Impressive antlers regrow each year – reaching up to 12 points and 15kg
Strong sense of smell is their primary way of sensing the world
Habitat: favour forest edges and are active both day and night
Diet: herbivorous, feeding on grasses, leaves, and tree shoots
Social behaviour: stags are mostly solitary, joining others during breeding season
Breeding: calves are born around May–June (typically one per year)
Protection: safeguarded under the Wildlife Act – No hunting permitted in Dunsany Estate
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Mammals in Dunsany Estate
Wood Mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus)
Arrived in Ireland ~10,000 years ago with early human settlers
The only small rodent with long-term presence in Ireland
Recognisable by its orange-brown fur, white belly, large black eyes, and long whiskers
Found in woodlands, hedgerows, and grasslands; avoids urban or wetland areas
Nocturnal omnivore: eats animal matter when young, shifts to seeds and plants as it matures
Plays a key role in seed dispersal thanks to its varied diet
Breeds in litters of 4–7, possibly with multiple fathers
Young are independent within 3 weeks
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Mammals in Dunsany Estate
Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)
The only Irish mammal with a spiny coat
Nocturnal feeder: eats invertebrates, bird eggs, and carrion
Builds temporary nests, using them briefly before moving on
Produces 4–6 young per litter; young become independent after ~6 weeks
Hibernates from October to March, though some may wait until December
Prefers lowland habitats; avoids wetlands and dense conifer forests
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Mammals in Dunsany Estate
Irish Hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus)
An ancient, endemic species found only in Ireland
Distinctive red-brown coat with black-tipped ears
Weighs 2.5–4kg and can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h
Nocturnal grazer, feeding on herbs and grasses
Inhabits grasslands, heaths, bogs, and farmland
Culturally important and protected under the Wildlife Act
Mammals in Dunsany Estate
Otter (Lutra lutra)
The only aquatic mammal found at Dunsany Estate
Small dog-sized: ~72 cm body with a 42 cm tail
Dark fur on top, lighter underneath; their droppings (spraint) smell pleasant when fresh
Inhabits rivers, lakes, estuaries, and swamps
Carnivorous, feeding mainly on fish
Breeds year-round with 2–3 cubs; young are independent by 12 months
Listed as Near Threatened (IUCN); protected under Irish and EU law
Mammals in Dunsany Estate
Pine Marten (Martes martes)
About the size of a house cat: 60 cm body, 28 cm tail
Dark brown fur with a creamy-yellow throat patch
A woodland species, though also found in open western habitats
Carnivorous, feeding on small mammals
Gives birth to 2–3 kits in spring; young stay with the mother for around 6 months
Mammals in Dunsany Estate
Badger (Meles meles)
Roughly 90 cm long and 10 kg in weight, with a distinct black-and-white striped face
Has genetic ties to Spanish and Scandinavian badgers
Nocturnal and secretive, found in woodlands and grasslands
Lives in clans of around 6, occupying large territories with multiple setts
Omnivorous diet: insects, fruits, and small animals
1–5 cubs are born between January and March; they emerge after around 8 weeks
Mammals in Dunsany Estate
Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus)
An invasive species from China, first arriving in Ireland in the 18th century
Closely tied to human activity and built environments
Can produce up to 5 litters per year, with as many as 9 pups per litter
Omnivorous diet: feeds on seeds, waste, small animals, and invertebrates
Mammals in Dunsany Estate
Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
Invasive species that has displaced native red squirrels since 1911
Larger than the red squirrel, with overlapping diet and habitat
Common in woodlands, farmland, and suburban areas
Breeds in spring and summer, with litters of 1–7 pups
Omnivorous, feeding on seeds and occasionally bird eggs
Managed through hunting, chemical control, and immunocontraception
Mammals in Dunsany Estate
Pygmy Shrew (Sorex minutus)
Smallest mammal in Ireland: just 4–6 cm long and around 6 g
Has distinct red-tipped teeth and often uses other animals’ burrows
Eats tiny invertebrates and must feed constantly to survive
Threatened by the invasive greater white-toothed shrew
Breeds up to 3 times per season, with 4–6 young per litter
Young are independent after just 3 weeks
Mammals in Dunsany Estate
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
Medium-sized mammal with red fur, a white belly, and a bushy tail
Widespread and unprotected in Ireland; often subject to predator control
A highly adaptable omnivore, eating everything from rabbits to fruit
Lives in family groups, typically led by one male and several females
Breeds in spring: litters of 4–5 (up to 14 possible); born March–April, independent by October
