Water Vole
Footprint Images
Description
Dark chocolate brown fur, with a chubby face and blunt nose and a shorter tail than a rat.
Footprint Description
Forefoot has 4 digital pads with distinct claws, giving the impression of the toes being pointed.Hind foot has 5 digital pads,claws similar. Full "hand" outlines are commonly found in soft mud/silt.
"Star" shaped in appearance, may be confused with tracks of Brown Rat, but the latter has a narrower, and longer heel pattern on the hind foot. Fore feet are very similar in both Water Vole and Brown Rat.
Distribution
The Water Vole is found throughout most of England and Wales, though less common in Scotland with little evidence in the north, and absent from Northern Ireland.
Footprint Size
Hind foot - 3x3.1cm, fore foot - 1.8x2.3cm
Habitat
Burrows in the waterside bank with the entrance above or below the waterline of slow running rivers and sometimes dykes and ditches.
Diet
Behaviour
Taxonomy
Images of Tracks & Signs
Male
Primary Image
Reproduction
A nest of woven plant stems is built to provide a nest below the waterline and as many as 4 or 5 litters of up to five young may be born annually between March and October.
Scientific Name
Arvicola terrestris
Female
Height
Predators
Cats, foxes, weasels, pike, birds of prey and adders are among the predators seeking water voles.Mink are the most serious threat to Water Vole populations, due to their ability to hunt underwater,foiling the Water Vole`s main course of evasion from threats.
Tracks & Signs Description
Water Voles characteristically cut vegetation into short manageable lengths for feeding. These may be found in small piles, with the recognisable 45 degree cut ends.
Water Vole burrows usually show characteristic signs of grazing around the entrances. This is frequently done by females with young in the nest.
Juvenile
Length
Body length 18-22cm
Weight
Speed
Droppings Images
Life Span
12 - 18 months
Also Known As
Water rat
Droppings Description
Water Voles use regular latrines. Droppings are roughly 1-1.2cm in length, cylindrical with rounded ends. These are green when fresh, but lose colour over time.
Territorial latrines often show signs of trampling.
Status
Fairly high numbers of Water Vole may be found in the appropriate environment.
Did You Know?
Although Water Voles are not considered to be an endangered species their numbers have declined, particularly due to the increasing number of Mink who are also Vole predators.