On our UK waterways, you will find an abundance of species like otters and water voles. If you’re wondering, ‘what is the difference between an otter and a water vole?’ so you can spot them next time you’re out and about, we’re here to help.
Otters vs Water Voles
What Do Otters & Water Voles Look Like?
The first thing to notice is that otters are a lot larger than water voles. Where water voles can reach heights of up to 14cm, otters can soar above them at 155cm – water voles are the bigger species of vole though!
An otter’s long body is covered in thick brown fur, paler brown on their chest and belly, with a thick, muscular tail and short legs with webbed feet. Their eyes sit on top of their head so they can see better when submerged in the water and they have a broad nose with small ears. A water vole also has brown fur and small ears but a furry tail and rounded nose.
What Does An Otter & A Water Vole Eat?
Otters are carnivores, whereas water voles tend to eat a more herbivorous diet. Eating more than 2lbs of food a day, otters are able to catch prey equal to its own body weight so the majority of their diet contains fish. If this is in short supply, they will also prey upon bird, amphibians, mammals and insects.
On the other hand, a water vole’s diet is dependent on the seasons and what foliage is on offer. During the spring and summer, they will eat grasses, reeds and water and wetland plants. During the autumn and winter, they will eat roots, bulbs and bark.
Where Do Otters & Water Voles Live?
Both otters and water voles can be found throughout the UK, however there are lower densities of otters in England compared to Wales and water voles cannot be found in Northern Ireland, Scottish islands, Channel Islands, Isles of Scilly and Isle of Man.
They also have very similar habitats, commonly along grassy riverbanks, but where water voles burrow, otters create holts that are connected with tunnels. Both species like to have resting places within these habitats; otters create couches in dense vegetation by the side of the water and water voles sit and eat in the same place, leaving nibbled grass patches.
Breeding Habits of An Otter & A Water Vole
Where otters breed at any time of the year, water voles more commonly breed between March – October. Otters usually have 2 or 3 cubs; however, water voles normally produce between 2 – 5 litters a year with 2 – 8 young. As well as their breeding habits, their parenting styles differ too. With water voles, their young leave after 28 days but otter pups stay with their parents for over a year.
Threats to Otters & Water Voles
Otter and water voles are both protected in the UK by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), and otters are also protected by the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010.
They are both threatened by habitat destruction and degradation due to the increase in urban development and trampling of banks, as well as the increasing use of pesticides amongst farming. Whereas otters are threatened by persecution by fishery owners and gamekeepers, water voles are more threatened by the American Mink.
One way in which you can make sure both otters and water voles are protected is by carrying out ecology surveys before your next development project. At Greenlight, we can help you with all your surveying needs as well as mitigation or enhancements required.
Get in touch with us today to discuss your project requirements and to keep these species safe and protected.
