European Water Vole

Arvicola sapidus

Have declined a lot due to the Minks, but still fairly common & widespread in Britain.

Common & widespread in Europe.

Absent from much of France, most of Spain, Portugal, Asia, Ireland & Iceland.

Overall, European Water Voles are a uniform dark brown colour, with slightly paler coloration on the underside.

Their pelage is quite thick, and they are furred over their entire body, including their tail, unlike Rats.

Their dark colour allows them to blend in well in the densely vegetated areas they inhabit.

They also have rounder noses than rats, deep brown fur, chubby faces, and short fuzzy ears; unlike rats, their tails, paws, and ears are covered with hair.