Wildlife
Water voles are widespread around Europe, living in the banks of slow moving rivers, streams and other waterways. The waterside burrows of these strong swimmers have many floor levels that hinder flooding, as well as nesting chambers and a food store for the long winter months. Although water voles are a quick meal for many predators, the UK population suffered a catastrophic level of predation by the American mink. Water voles are often mistaken for rats. Ratty, in Kenneth Grahame's 'The Wind in the Willows', was actually a water vole.
Scientific name: Arvicola amphibius
Rank: Species
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Vole heaven
Baby captive-bred water voles are released into the wild.
Baby captive-bred water voles are released into the wild.
Ratty in the city
Trolleys aren't the only thing you find round the back of a supermarket.
Trolleys aren't the only thing you find round the back of a supermarket.
A water vole's history of Britain
How the water vole colonised Britain, and the threat from new immigrants: mink.
How the water vole colonised Britain, and the threat from new immigrants: mink.
Black water voles of Balmoral
Chris Packham uncovers a rabbit/mink link that spells disaster for water voles.
Chris Packham uncovers a rabbit/mink link that spells disaster for water voles.
Digging competition
Unwelcome guests in the newly built system, water voles now find sanctuary in canals.
Unwelcome guests in the newly built system, water voles now find sanctuary in canals.
The European water vole can be found in a number of locations including: Europe, Russia, United Kingdom, Wales. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.
The following habitats are found across the European water vole distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Least Concern
Population trend: Stable
Year assessed: 2008
Classified by: IUCN 3.1
The European water vole or northern water vole, Arvicola amphibius (formerly A. terrestris), is a semi-aquatic rodent. It is often informally called the water rat, although it only superficially resembles a true rat. Water voles have rounder noses than rats, deep brown fur, chubby faces and short fuzzy ears; unlike rats their tails, paws and ears are covered with hair.
In the wild, on average, water voles only live about five months. Maximum longevity in captivity is 2 and a half years.
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Brownfield land
Lakes and ponds
Rivers and streams
Wetlands
Helpless young
Adapted to swimming
Herbivorous
Chemical communication
Territorial
Viviparous