Water vole
The water vole
Water Vole, the Arvicola amphibious, popularly known as the water rat. It is a small rodent, about a foot long, of which the tail occupies nearly five inches. Fur thick and shining, rich reddish-brown above, yellowish-gray beneath. Water voles haunt the banks of rivers and ponds, and, though the feet are net webbed, swim with facility not only on the surface, but below the water. They have been accused of destroying fish spawn, and feeding on young fish and even on ducklings, but the charge is probably unfounded, as their food appears to be entirely vegetable. Common in England, throughout Europe and Asia, to China.
