Hello everyone and welcome back to the next addition of Voiceforwildlife where today we will be exploring one of our furry friends that are at risk of being eliminated from the UK all together - the Water Vole.
The Water Vole is a small, stocky mammal that is a member of the Rodentia family. They are around the same size as the Brown Rat, around 14 cm long with a long, thin tail extended to around 10cm. Their slightly elongated body is coated in rows of dark-caramel fur before being topped with a slightly flat oval head. A small nose sprouts from the edge of the face with a collection of whiskers projecting from either side, situated under two small forward-facing eyes. On the tip of the head two oval shaped ears are slightly visible underneath backwards facing fur that seams like they are caught facing a gust of wind. They are able to stand on their hind legs in order to smell the air. The Water Voles average life expectancy is anywhere up to five years however, as their numbers decline, many are taken into captivity with a new life expectancy of just 2 years.
The Water Vole is native to the UK and can be found in specific slow running rivers, banks and lakes. They are slowly decreasing in numbers in Scotland and the population is thought to be non-existent in Ireland. One tell tale sign of Water Vole activity is a collection of grass or reeds that have been gnawed around a quarter up from the ground. Moreover these mammals will excavate a collection of large tunnel systems situated in the side of a river bank. These are created with multiple entry and exit points to allow the mammal a chance of escape from predators such as foxes, owls and especially the American Mink which can clear a highly inhabited area from Water Voles completely. These mammals are herbivores, meaning they only eat vegetation - especially those found by the river side. Over 220 different varieties of plant have been recorded in a Water Voles diet.
Breeding begins in mid-March with around 4 broods being born each year although cold weather conditions can prevent breeding until later in the year. Up to 5 young are born naked (without any fur) and blind meaning they have to grow and enhance their survival skills quickly. In the first two weeks, young will rely on milk from their mother before slowly being drawn (weaned) into eating natural food.
Water Voles are now fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside act of 1981 making it illegal to "intentionally kill, injure or take any wild animal" from its natural habitat. The American mink is a huge cause of the Voles decline along with habitat loss and water pollution - caused through littering, destroying the streams Eco system. Numbers will also fall dramatically when there is a high level of rainfall as rivers burst their banks flooding into the surrounding habitats. This will flood burrows forcing any mammals out, into the way of predators, or even drowning defenceless young. This has gained the Water Vole the title of Britain's fastest declining mammal.
So next time you take a trip to see your local Water Vole's, stay silent, take a seat and enjoy your brief moment in their watery world.
If you would like to help protect the humble Water Vole be sure to enquire at your local @RSPB reserve or @wildlife trust to volunteer or other ways you can help.
(No credit is taken for the photo)