Ratty the Water Vole ( Arvicola amphibius )

The water vole is a mammal species that I have always wanted to try and spend time with but for one reason or another just never got round to doing so until now.

Following a little research locally I decided it was about time I made the effort to try and photograph these delightful mammals, so off on my travels I went in search of Ratty.

Once a common sight along our waterways this is sadly not the case anymore as they are now a red listed species here in the UK, this being mainly due to predation by the introduced American mink that has had a severe impact on water vole populations across the country, even causing local extinctions as well as habitat degradation and pollution that are also thought to have contributed to the decline of the water vole. 

Water voles occur mainly along well vegetated banks of slow flowing rivers, ditches, dykes and lakes. They are sometimes confused with brown rats which often also live near water courses. Water voles excavate extensive burrow systems into the banks of waterways. These have sleeping/nest chambers at various levels in the steepest parts of the bank and usually have underwater entrances to give the animals a secure route for escape if danger threatens. “Lawns” of closely cropped grass, occasionally with piles of chopped food, may surround burrow entrances. Water voles tend to be active more during the day than at night. Male voles live along about 130 metres of water bank, while females have ranges about 70 metres long. They deposit distinctive black, shiny faeces in latrines. Latrines occur throughout and at the edges of their range during the breeding season. Just a little background information there on the uk’s largest vole species.

Well my research paid off and I was indeed able to spend a little quality time with these gorgeous snub nosed, almost beaver like little mammals of our waterway’s, although by the time I’d found a couple the light was a little harsh from a photography point of view with very bright sunshine it was just awesome to just sit and watch these little guys go about they’re day oblivious to my presence, needless to say I will be going back in more favourable conditions for sure but for now here are a few images of Ratty the Water Vole.