Animals & Nature

Water Rat???

Any wildlife buffs out there? we live very near a stretch of water(12feet away) and for many years have seen lots of lovely wildlife including what we always thought were water rats. People are now telling us these are common? rats and to be careful when leaving doors open etc. What is the visible difference please??
TIA Mamya

mamyalynne Sat 10/05/08 17:11

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raysparx1
Sat 10/05/08
17:33

have alook at this link, rats have bald tails and water voles have furry tail, if it is the water vole, I don;t think they will cause you any problems.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfile s/268.shtml

mamyalynne
Sat 10/05/08
17:45

Question Author

thanks Raysparx1 well they never have bothered us and are part of our lovely outlook in my opinion which includes Herons Kingfishers and Moorhens too .
Mamya

yogasun
Sat 10/05/08
17:49

Hi mamyalynne

In E. Devon we have a project going to encourage Water Voles with great success.

raysparx1
Sat 10/05/08
17:51

Hi yoga, and mamya, we are so very lucky aren't we, so much beauty , I think the water vole is protected species now, carry on enjoying the beauty that is nature, Ray xx

mamyalynne
Sat 10/05/08
18:37

Question Author

Wilko

In A Pickle
Sat 10/05/08
22:39

Of course "Wind in the Willows" has a lot to answer for,referring to what is actually a Water Vole as "Ratty".
Many generations have been confused by this.

spudqueen
Sun 11/05/08
15:09

I remember Bill Oddie describing a water vole in water as looking like a black board duster, sort of flattened and rectangular. I think rats just look like rats.

mamyalynne
Sun 11/05/08
15:58

Question Author

well itend to agree and in 32 years theyve never bothered us so will continue to love em

annemollie
Mon 12/05/08
20:31

I saw a coypu once on a garden path near Kidderminster. Seriously - on a path near the canal. Scared the living daylights out of me.

mamyalynne
Mon 12/05/08
21:44

Question Author

yes annemollie i believe these can be nasty creatures.Over the 32 years we have lived here we have had many close encounters including Mallards in the lounge whilst we tellyboxed, a squirrel running up the curtains and mant more fun times.
Happy Days
Mamya

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