Home › Mammalia › Cricetidae › Northern Water Vole (Arvicola terrestris)
SPECIES PROFILE
Northern Water Vole (Arvicola terrestris)
Arvicola
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Europe, Asia
DIET
Herbivorous
HABITAT
Rivers, canals, wetlands
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Rodentia
FAMILY
Cricetidae
GENUS
Arvicola
📋 Description
SIZE
15-25 cm body, 100-300 g
COLORATION
Dark brown, short tail
ADAPTATIONS
Excellent swimmer, burrowing
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Rivers, canals, wetlands
DIET
Herbivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Europe, Asia
REPRODUCTION
4-8 young, multiple litters
DIET DETAILS
Aquatic plants, grasses
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss, predation by mink
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The northern water vole is often called the “water rat” and is famous from Wind in the Willows. It has declined dramatically in the UK due to mink.
2
It is an excellent swimmer and lives in burrows along water edges.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
New Forest UK
Lake District UK
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Look for water voles along riverbanks; listen for plops.
