Vole
![The water vole has chestnut-brown fur, a blunt, rounded nose, small ears, and a furry tail.](https://askernaturereserve.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/274727278_7526970173987596_2072068612559222843_n-e1696022544836-1024x779.jpg)
Water voles are Britain's largest vole species.
Water voles are protected by law. They are in serious decline.
The water vole has chestnut-brown fur, a blunt, rounded nose, small ears, and a furry tail.
They need to eat 80% of their body weight a day and spend most of their time eating riverside vegetation and water plants.
The main difference between a water vole and a rat are their ears which are hidden in their fur, fur on their tail and a rounder head shape.
An adult water vole can grow to 20cm long plus a tail of 12cm.
Main Image
![Water voles live in waterside burrows](https://askernaturereserve.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC05894-scaled.jpg)
Water vole swimming in the river Asker