European water vole

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 (Arvicola amphibius) or northern water vole, is a semi-aquatic rodent. It is often informally called the water rat, though it only superficially resembles a true 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]

  1. ^ Batsaikhan, N.; Henttonen, H.; Meinig, H.; Shenbrot, G.; Bukhnikashvili, A.; Hutterer, R.; Kryštufek, B.; Yigit, N.; Mitsain, G.; Palomo, L. (2021) [amended version of 2016 assessment]. "Arvicola amphibius". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T2149A197271401. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T2149A197271401.en. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  2. ^ Musser, G.G.; Carleton, M.D. (2005). "Superfamily Muroidea". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 894–1531. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  3. ^ Freeston, H. (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.