The bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) is a common animal
found in the British countryside. It is 9-12 centimetres long and weighs up to
45 grams. When seen, a bank vole can be mistaken for a mouse, but it is
plumper, has smaller ears, and a short furry tail. Their short fur is brown on
the back and greyish on the sides.
Bank voles live in woodlands, hedges, gardens and parks, and
their food consists of fruit, nuts and small insects. In suburban gardens they
sometimes visit bird tables.
Bank voles are an important part of the rural food chain as
they are prey to stoats, weasels, foxes and birds of prey.
Females give birth to litters of between three and eight
young. They become sexually mature when only five weeks old, but their
vulnerability to predators means that most bank voles do not live to be older
than five months. Fortunately for the species, their fecundity as breeders means
that there is no shortage of bank voles in Great Britain!
© John Welford
No comments:
Post a Comment