Bank Vole

The Bank Vole (Myodes glareolus) is a small vole with red-brown fur and some grey patches. It lives in woodland areas and is around 100 mm in length. It is found in western Europe and northern Asia. It was accidentally introduced to the south west of Ireland. Bank voles can be found all over mainland Britain, but prefer coppiced areas of woodland with dense vegetation such as bracken and bramble. They can live for 18 months and are omnivorous, eating insects and fruits such raspberries.

It is the smallest vole found in the UK. It boasts very prominent ears and chestnut-brown fur. They can be distinguished from mice by their short, blunt, almost hamster-like noses.

Their ears are clearly visible (unlike in the field vole). Its tail is about half as long as body (It's shorter in the field vole, longer in a mouse). Adults have red brown fur. After the wood mouse it is probably Britain's most abundant small rodent. Bank voles are found in woods, hedges, scrub and gardens. Also known as the common vole. Eats: hazelnuts, seeds, berries, green plants and fungi. Eaten by: kestrel, fox, tawny owl and cat.

They live in underground chambers lined with moss, feathers and vegetable fibre. Inside the chamber they keep a store of food.