A Young Water Vole!

This young Water Vole stayed very close to the burrow whilst feeding. It is essential that they have plenty of vegetation growing from the banks to provide food and cover from their many predators. They need at least three metres, of uncut bank side vegetation from March until the end of the breeding season in October. This is vital, as a Water Vole needs to consume the equivalent of 80% of its body weight in food each day and a breeding female double that amount. So it is fortunate that Water Voles are not fussy eaters and have been recorded eating 227 different plant species to date (Strachan and Jefferies 1993). They are very alert to any noises, or sudden movement, and will quickly disappear into their burrow or dive into the water, making a characteristic 'plop'! More on how to manage their habitat for their well-being and survival here: watervole.org....