European water vole

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European water vole
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Cricetidae
Subfamily: Arvicolinae
Genus: Arvicola
Species:
A. amphibius
Binomial name
Arvicola amphibius
Synonyms

Arvicola terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758)
Mus amphibius Linnaeus, 1758
Mus terrestris Linnaeus, 1758

The European water vole or northern water vole is a semi-aquatic rodent. Sometimes, it is also called water rat, though the animal is only similar to a rat.[3] 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 two and a half years.[4]

References[change | change source]

  1. Batsaikhan, N.; Henttonen, H.; Meinig, H.; Shenbrot, G., Bukhnikashvili, A., Hutterer, R., Kryštufek, B., Yigit, N., Mitsain, G. & Palomo, L. (2016). "Arvicola amphibius". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T2149A115060819. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T2149A115060819.en.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. Template:MSW3 Musser
  3. Freeston, Helen (1997). "Tales of the Riverbank—How to spot 'Ratty' (previously "Water Volewatch 97")". Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. Archived from the original on September 25, 2006. Retrieved 2006-08-23.
  4. "The Mammal Society". Mammal.org.uk. Retrieved 2013-02-26.