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Making life better by water
Have you seen a flash of brown fur and are not sure whether it’s an endangered water vole or the larger brown rat? Read our guide to avoid a case of mistaken identity.
While both are often found swimming in water, voles and rats are separate species from different families. Although regularly mistaken for a rat (thanks to 'Ratty' from The Wind in the Willows, who is actually a water vole), voles are smaller with rounded faces and bodies. Water voles have shorter tails and chestnut-coloured fur, unlike the brown rat.
Water voles also have smaller ears that sit close to the head. Rats have prominent pink ears.
Water voles (pictured left) and brown rats (pictured right) are both strong swimmers. However, water voles are identified by their dive. With a distinctive 'plop' sound, water voles dive into the water when alarmed.
| Water vole | Brown rat |
| Round and blunt face | Pointed face |
| Brown, furry, short tail | Long pink tail |
| Small ears, close to head | Visible pink ears |
| Furry paws | Pink paws |
| Deep brown colour | Light brown in colour, with lighter underparts |
| Eats waterside vegetation, leaving it with a 45-degree cut | Omnivores with opportunistic diets |
Last Edited: 29 August 2024
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