I've posted before about the characteristic star-shaped footprints water voles often leave in soft mud. The second photo down shows the splayed toe formation of the hind foot very clearly (as modelled by "Spot").
What wonderful photos and cute critters you've posted here. Your site was a real treat to stumble across. Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work! :-)
Thanks! We're coming up to the lean months - not much vole action ges on here between November and February - so I'm making the most of these last balmy days.
I gather the way to sex water voles is to put them head-first in a Pringles tube and, while they're immobilized, have a look at the distance between their openings. So no, I've no idea whether Spot's male or female. Adult males have a slight ruff round their necks supposedly, but it's hard to appreciate such subtleties when you're out in the field. And anyway, Spot's only a youngster.
I've tried really hard not to anthropomorphize on this blog, or to cutesify the voles, but it's a struggle when they're such appealing creatures. Being realistic, the chances of Spot making it through to next spring are slim - winter mortality rates are extremely high - but we can always hope.
I've posted before about the characteristic star-shaped footprints water voles often leave in soft mud. The second photo down shows the splayed toe formation of the hind foot very clearly (as modelled by "Spot").
What wonderful photos and cute critters you've posted here. Your site was a real treat to stumble across. Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks! We're coming up to the lean months - not much vole action ges on here between November and February - so I'm making the most of these last balmy days.
ReplyDeleteThat's very interesting!
ReplyDeleteI still think he's a cute little critter, that I just want to cuddle with!
Have a Great Day!
I've fallen in love with Spot, he's so cute. (Is it a he? Can you tell?)
ReplyDeleteI gather the way to sex water voles is to put them head-first in a Pringles tube and, while they're immobilized, have a look at the distance between their openings. So no, I've no idea whether Spot's male or female. Adult males have a slight ruff round their necks supposedly, but it's hard to appreciate such subtleties when you're out in the field. And anyway, Spot's only a youngster.
ReplyDeleteI've tried really hard not to anthropomorphize on this blog, or to cutesify the voles, but it's a struggle when they're such appealing creatures. Being realistic, the chances of Spot making it through to next spring are slim - winter mortality rates are extremely high - but we can always hope.
Hoping Spot, and as many of the others as possible, make it. Will look out for a ruff or lack of one, in future photos, thanks!
ReplyDelete