6144 x 4096 px | 52 x 34,7 cm | 20,5 x 13,7 inches | 300dpi
Data acquisizione:
7 luglio 2010
Ubicazione:
British Wildlife center in surrey
Altre informazioni:
A brief natural history of the water vole The water vole (Arvicola terrestris) is a rodent; it is considerably larger than our other British vole species - bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus), field vole (Microtus agrestis)and Orkney vole (Microtus arvalis). As their name suggests water voles live by waterways throughout mainland Britain preferring slow flowing rivers and streams. The water vole uses it’s large incisors to burrow into the banks of streams or ditches to create a system of tunnels and chambers. They use the water as a natural defence system ‘“plopping” from the bank into the water when danger threatens before kicking up a mud screen in the water to blind any following predator. Underwater burrow entrance The entrance to their burrow is generally on or just below the water level helping to protect them from some of their natural predators - weasels (Mustelia nivalis), stoats (Mustelia erminea), foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and grey herons (Ardea cinerea). Water voles are mainly vegetarian – they have been recorded feeding on around 227 different plant species -although they may consume insects, molluscs and occasionally dead fish. Water voles are sometimes mistaken for brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) which commonly also live in river banks and are excellent swimmers. They can be distinguished by their shorter, more rounded bodies, blunt muzzles, bright orange incisor teeth, small ears and short, lightly-haired tails. Young water voles bred in captivity Water voles are typically a rich brown in colour with black guard hairs and a greyish-ochre belly. Coat colour does vary between populations and in northwest Scotland some populations are predominantly black. Other coat colours include albino, cinnamon, bright buff and pied, although rare, have been recorded, while small white markings – e.g. on tail tip, forehead, chest, back or paws – are common. Adult female water voles occupy territories of around 70 metres of banking during the breeding season
