Mammal · GBIF taxon 4265185
European Water Vole
Arvicola amphibiusAlso known as Water Rat, Northern Water Vole
European water voles excavate extensive subterranean burrows into steep riverbanks, complete with submerged entrances for rapid escape from land predators. These energetic herbivores spend their active hours browsing lush wetland vegetation, leaving characteristic piles of neatly cut stems at riverside feeding stations. Although widespread across Eurasia, local populations have suffered drastic declines due to habitat loss and severe predation by non-native mink.
Semi-aquaticHerbivoreBurrower
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Grasses and Sedges
- Reeds and Rushes
- Tree Roots and Bark
Predators
- American Mink
- Grey Heron
- Northern Pike
ThreatsPredation by invasive American mink, habitat fragmentation, pollution
HabitatsSlow-flowing rivers, streams, ditches, ponds, and marshes
Life span5–20 months in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCricetidae
- SpeciesArvicola amphibius
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Capable of a sharp bite if handled or cornered; observe quietly from riverbanks.
- What to notice
- Look for a chunky chestnut-brown rodent with a blunt snout, small furry ears, and a hairy tail along vegetated margins.
- Support conservation
- Observe silently from a distance and avoid stepping on soft earth riverbanks where underground burrows can collapse.
Responsible observation
- Listen for Plops: A sudden splash into the water often signals a water vole diving from a muddy bank.
- Look for Feeding Piles: Neat stacks of plant stems cut at clean 45-degree angles mark active feeding stations.
- Keep Dogs Leashed: Protect fragile earth burrows and resting animals by keeping pets on riverbank paths.
Competitor (c) Owen Strickland, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Owen Strickland · cc-by
Co-habitant Bernard Landgraf / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Invasive Predator "American Mink, Centre Island, Toronto, ON" by tsaiproject is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Close Relative Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative
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