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Water Vole

January 10, 2022

Today’s animal is the water vole. Here is everything you need to know about these interesting creatures. 

Appearance

  • The European water vole can grow up to nine inches in length, not including the tail.
  • Their tails can reach up to half their body length.
  • Water voles have dark brown fur with slightly lighter underbellies. Their coloring evolved to blend in with their environment.
  • They average 2 to 5 oz. 

Range

You can find water voles in the following countries: 

  • Europe
  • Russia
  • West Asia
  • Kazakhstan

Habitat

  • Voles excavate burrows out of the banks of rivers, ponds, streams and ditches.
  • They prefer to dig next to calm, slow-moving water.
  • They can also build ball-shaped nests above ground if no suitable subterranean space is available.
  • Though they prefer lush riverbanks, they will venture into woodlands and fields if necessary.

Diet

  • As herbivores, water voles eat mostly grass and vegetation.
  • Some of their favorite foods include fruits, roots, buds and bulbs.
  • Voles located in Europe have been known to cause “plagues” by ravenously devouring rich crop harvests.
  • When they cannot find enough vegetation to eat, they can consume smaller animals like frogs and reptiles.

Behavior

  • Voles are experts at swimming and diving.
  • Adult male voles are individualists with their own territory. These males mark their territory with fecal latrines near their nest. Their flank gland secretes scent-marking fluids to mark off their respective territories.

3 Comments

  1. jin

    Good morning
    i look forward evert day to read on different animals. than you
    Genie

    Reply
  2. Joe Passorella

    The writer originally states that voles are herbivores, but then contradicts herself by claiming that they will eat small reptiles if necessary. She also seems to believe that Europe and West Asia are countries.

    Reply
  3. Sepi Abed

    I thought they had a different name, unless there is another animal that looks similar to the Voles.

    Reply

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