Water Vole
The European Water Vole (Arvicola amphibius or A. terrestris) is a semi-aquatic mammal that resembles a rat . In fact, the water vole is often informally called the “water rat”
Diet
Water voles mainly eat grass and plants near the water. At times, they will also consume fruits, bulbs, twigs, buds, and roots. In Europe, when there is enough food to last water voles a long time, water vole "plagues" can take place. Water voles eat ravenously, destroying entire fields of grass and leaving the fields full of burrows, during these plagues.
Breeding
The mating period lasts from March into late autumn. The female vole's pregnancy lasts for approximately 21 days. Up to 8 baby voles can be born, each weighing around 10 g (one fifth of an ounce). The young voles open their eyes three days after their birth. They are half the size of a full grown water vole by the time they are weaned.
Size/ Description
Water voles reach in length 5–9 inches plus a tail of 55%–70% of this. Adults weigh from 6–12 ounces, juveniles weigh less but must reach around 5–6 ounces to be able to survive their first winter.
Behavior
Water Voles are expert swimmers and divers. They do not usually live in large groups. Adult water voles each have their own territories, which they mark with a secretion from their bodies. They will attack if their territory is invaded by another vole.
