Water Vole

Arvicola sapidus

Water voles are small, furry animals that love to live near rivers and ponds. They are great swimmers and have cute little faces!

Habitat: Wetlands, rivers, and ponds

Appearance

The Water Vole has dense brown fur, a stout body, and a blunt nose. Unlike a rat, it possesses small, rounded ears almost hidden in its fur, and a short, furry tail. Its appearance is well-adapted for life near water.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderRodentiaFamilyCricetidaeGenusArvicola

Water Vole

Interesting facts

A water vole family can have five litters in just one year!

Their teeth never stop growing, so they gnaw plants to keep them short!

They make secret paths in tall grass, like mini highways!

Water voles can create underwater entrances to their burrows!

Special abilities

Water Vole has powerful claws and teeth that help them dig intricate tunnel systems and burrows into riverbanks for shelter and safety.

Water Vole can eat many kinds of plants, like reeds and grasses, because of its specialized digestive system, that helps them thrive on a plant-based diet.

Measurements & details

Length: 16-24 cm
Weight: 0.16-0.35 kg
Lifespan: 1-2 years
Top Speed: 10 km/h
Litter Size: 4-6
Gestation: 20-22 days

Diet & Feeding

Mostly eats plants like grasses, sedges, and roots found near water.

Primary Foods

Grasses
Sedges
Reeds
Roots
Water Plants

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Eurasian Otter

Lutra lutra

Otters are skilled hunters of aquatic mammals.

eaten by

Stoat

Mustela erminea

Stoats are swift predators hunting small rodents.

eaten by

Barn Owl

Tyto alba

Owls hunt them from the air, especially at dusk.

eats

Slender Tufted Sedge

Carex acuta

They frequently feed on the leaves and stems of sedges.

eats

Common Reed

Phragmites australis

Water voles often consume new shoots and stems of reeds.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Furry

Find adorable animals covered in a cozy coat of soft fur! Their fur helps them stay warm and protected in different environments.

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Burrowing

Dig deep and discover animals that build amazing homes underground! They create tunnels and chambers to stay safe, find food, or escape the weather.

Herbivorous

Meet the peaceful munchers and grazers who find all their nourishment from plants, leaves, and fruits. They transform plant energy into life!

Wetland

These fascinating areas are covered by water for at least part of the year, creating a perfect home for unique plants and animals, like marshes and swamps.