Small rodent ID, please

[vole-woman]

I spotted this on the bank of the stream while looking for water voles. It was a good way off and I had to zoom, so the focus isn't brilliant, but as regards scale, that's a Tango bottle in front of it. Tiny, in other words.

I think it's a field vole, but I'd like an expert's opinion.

[BillyPilgrim]

Hi VW, I can't give you an expert's opinion but compared to a Bank Vole which I saw today, yours looks a bit different.

The eyes look closer together and the ears look a bit further apart maybe?


http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ar...p/photo/108043

[Dogghound]

Its a bank vole.

[vole-woman]

Thanks. How do you tell without seeing the tail?

[Dogghound]

First feature to look at is the colour, bank voles have very dark brown sometimes reddy brown fur with grey sides. Field voles tend to be more sandy coloured paler.

Second feature the ears of the field vole are less noticable due to the longer hair around them. More noticable in bank voles.

[vole-woman]

Wow. Mind if put all that on my blog?

[Dogghound]

By all means go ahead. It probrably needs rewording though as I was in the middle of doing something as I was typing.

[vole-woman]

What about this one?



Seen in the same place, but looks lighter to me.

[Dogghound]

Its a Bank Vole too.

[vole-woman]

Cor, thanks.