Volume 22, Plate XXVIII / Mammalia (Mammals)

Water Vole, or Water Rat

Arvicola amphibius

Distinguished from rats and mice by larger body, broad rounded head, short tail, and grooved flat-crowned grinders, the water vole has full body, very short neck, small eyes and concealed ears, and thick silky pile dark-brown above with light reddish-brown underparts. Dwelling in burrows along rivers, brooks, and ponds, it swims and dives with ease, feeds entirely on roots and herbage, and bears five or six young in summer; a smaller black variety also occurs.