Least ConcernNorway Lemming
Lemmus lemmus
One of the 11 rats on WAnimals
Mammals · Rodentia · Cricetidae
Arvicola sapidus
At high risk of extinction in the wild over the medium term.
The southern water vole is a semi-aquatic rodent endemic to the Iberian Peninsula and France. It digs tunnels in the banks and feeds almost entirely on plants: rushes, grasses and roots. It swims and dives well and, when surprised, throws itself into the water with a characteristic plop. Its populations are in sharp decline across its whole range because of the canalisation of rivers and irrigation channels, the loss of riverside vegetation and predation by the introduced American mink.
Weight
150 g – 280 g
Size
17 cm – 24 cm
Life expectancy
3 years
Diet
Herbivore
Feeds mainly on plants.
Activity
Irregular activity
Active at irregular times, by day or night depending on circumstances.
Social structure
Solitary
Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.
Sources consulted: Wikipedia (es): Arvicola sapidus
Parks and dive sites where this species has been documented — showing 10 of 140.
Other species in the catalogue with the most in common with Southern Water Vole — same habitat, park, country, tags or family.
The southern water vole is classified as vulnerable. Organisations such as the IUCN, WWF and the Wildlife Conservation Society work specifically on its conservation and that of its habitat; looking into their programmes is a good starting point if you want to get involved.
It's documented in 10 protected areas — one reason why protecting these places matters for its conservation.
Based on what we already know about southern water vole.
The pins mark the parks where its presence is documented.
