Bank vole

The bank vole is a charming small rodent that inhabits Europe and northwestern Asia. With its reddish-brown fur, gray patches, and a tail that measures about half its body length, it's quite a sight in the woodlands where it typically resides. These tiny creatures measure around 10 centimeters in length and primarily adhere to a herbivorous diet, consuming buds, bark, seeds, nuts, leaves, and fruits, although they occasionally eat insects.

One of the most fascinating aspects of bank voles is their talent for constructing cozy underground chambers. They line these hideaways with moss, feathers, and vegetable fibers, creating perfect spots to store food and endure tough conditions. In the wild, a bank vole can live up to 18 months to two years, but in captivity, they can enjoy a lifespan of over 42 months.

When young, bank voles resemble mice. However, as they mature, they develop a stouter body, a rounder head, and smaller ears and eyes. Their tail remains short and hairy, distinguishing them from their mouse relatives. They communicate through a variety of sounds, including growls and low-pitched squeaks. One way to identify a bank vole is by its chestnut-brown fur, prominent ears, and longer tail, especially in Great Britain.

Bank voles are incredibly adaptable in terms of habitat. They are found in forests, hedgerows, field verges, bracken, brambles, riverbanks, swamps, and even parks. Active both day and night and not hibernating, these industrious creatures construct long, shallow burrows with multiple exits for quick escapes.

Their diet mainly consists of vegetation, but they also consume insects, spiders, and worms. The breeding season extends from late April to September, and females can produce up to four litters per year. Bank voles play a crucial role in the ecosystem, serving as prey for a variety of predators.

Population density for bank voles can vary significantly, ranging from six to one hundred individuals per hectare, and their numbers fluctuate throughout the year. They face some threats, such as lead toxicity from road verges and exposure to pesticides, molluscicides, and rodenticides near farmlands. Nevertheless, despite these challenges, the bank vole is classified as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, thanks to its stable population and wide distribution across Europe and western Asia.