Today’s animal is the water vole. Here is everything you need to know about these interesting creatures. 

Appearance

• The European water vole can grow up to nine inches in length, not including the tail.
• Their tails can reach up to half their body length.
• Water voles have dark brown fur with slightly lighter underbellies. Their coloring evolved to blend in with their environment.
• They average 2 to 5 oz. 

Range

You can find water voles in the following countries: 

• Europe
• Russia
• West Asia
• Kazakhstan

Habitat

• Voles excavate burrows out of the banks of rivers, ponds, streams and ditches.
• They prefer to dig next to calm, slow-moving water.
• They can also build ball-shaped nests above ground if no suitable subterranean space is available.
• Though they prefer lush riverbanks, they will venture into woodlands and fields if necessary.

Diet

• As herbivores, water voles eat mostly grass and vegetation.
• Some of their favorite foods include fruits, roots, buds and bulbs.
• Voles located in Europe have been known to cause “plagues” by ravenously devouring rich crop harvests.
• When they cannot find enough vegetation to eat, they can consume smaller animals like frogs and reptiles.

Behavior

• Voles are experts at swimming and diving.
• Adult male voles are individualists with their own territory. These males mark their territory with fecal latrines near their nest. Their flank gland secretes scent-marking fluids to mark off their respective territories.