Arvicola

Vole ( Arvicola amphibius)

The water voles ( Arvicola ) are a genus of voles. Because of their bondage to the water they are also known by the common name " water rats ". Three types can be distinguished:

• Vole, Arvicola amphibius, Europe, North and West Asia
• West vole, Arvicola sapidus, France, Spain, Portugal
• Mountain vole, Arvicola Scherman, northern Spain, Central Europe, Southeastern Europe

With head hull lengths up to 22 inches, these are the largest voles in the Old World. While the Vole is ubiquitous in many parts of their range and in many places is considered as a pest, the western water vole is a rather rare animal.

Occasionally, the voles as a subgenus of voles ( Microtus ) are classified. In this case, they sometimes is assigned as another type, the Richardson - vole or American vole ( Microtus richardsoni ).

Due to their size, they are typical prey for slightly larger mammals and birds.