European water vole
Arvicola amphibius
The European water vole is a robustly built rodent belonging to the subfamily of voles. It inhabits a wide range of habitats, from the riparian zones of stagnant and flowing waters to dry meadows, where it creates extensive underground tunnel systems. Characteristic features include its stocky body, ears almost hidden in the fur, and a relatively long tail compared to other vole species.
Details
Identification
Blunt muzzle, small eyes, ears barely protruding from the dense fur, tail length is approximately half of the body length.
Social behavior
Lives in family groups within territorial ranges; males are particularly territorial during the breeding season.
Diet
Almost exclusively herbivorous; feeds on roots, tubers, grasses, herbs, and aquatic plants.
Overwintering
Active during winter; creates food stores containing roots and tubers in deeper burrow systems.
Ecology
Ecological role
Important prey for predators; promotes soil mixing through burrowing and creates microhabitats.
Natural predators
Red fox, stoat, least weasel, grey heron, barn owl, tawny owl, northern pike.
Competitor species
Muskrat (in aquatic areas), brown rat, common vole.
Ecosystem service
Bioturbation (soil aeration and nutrient distribution) and seed dispersal.
Threats
Habitat loss due to drainage of wet meadows, river engineering, and intensive agricultural pest control.
Scientific profile
Profile
Distinguishing features
Large vole with a blunt muzzle and small ears almost entirely hidden in the fur. The tail is hairy and reaches about 50-70% of the body length. Strong digging claws.
Habitat
Riparian zones of standing and slow-flowing waters with dense vegetation (reeds, sedges). Terrestrial forms also inhabit meadows, orchards, and dikes with high groundwater levels.
Diet
Almost exclusively herbivorous: aquatic plants, grasses, herbs, roots, tubers, and tree bark. Rarely insects or small fish.
Protection & threats
Main threats
Habitat loss due to river engineering and drainage of wet meadows; predation by the invasive American mink; direct control as a pest.
Population trend
Globally stable, but dramatic declines in Western Europe (esp. UK). In Germany regionally stable to decreasing.
Conservation measures
Restoration of watercourses, preservation of riparian buffer strips, management of invasive predators (mink control).