While often mistaken for rats, water voles have distinct features:
: Typically 14–22 cm long with a tail of 9–14 cm, weighing between 150g and 300g. arvicola
The genus primarily refers to water voles , a group of large, semi-aquatic rodents found across Europe and northern Asia. The most well-known species is the European water vole ( Arvicola amphibius ), famous as the inspiration for "Ratty" in The Wind in the Willows . Key Characteristics & Identification While often mistaken for rats, water voles have
: They have a blunt, rounded muzzle, small ears almost hidden in thick fur, and a furry tail, unlike the scaly tail of a rat. Key Characteristics & Identification : They have a
: They are expert "engineers," digging complex burrow systems into riverbanks. You can often find "lawns" of closely cropped grass around their burrow entrances.
: Primarily herbivores, they eat grasses and aquatic plants, often leaving stems cut at a distinctive 45-degree angle . Conservation Status