Water vole  (Arvicola terrestris)

Authentication

Information authenticated by Dr Pat Morris.

Glossary

Hibernate: A winter survival strategy characteristic of some mammals in which an animal's metabolic rate slows down and a state of deep sleep is attained. Whilst hibernating, animals survive on stored reserves of fat that they have accumulated in summer. In insects, the correct term for hibernation is 'diapause', a temporary pause in development and growth. Any stage of the lifecycle (eggs, larvae, pupae or adults) may enter diapause, which is typically associated with winter.

References

  1. UNEP-WCMC (January, 2002)
    http://www.uncp-wcmc.org
  2. The Mammal Society (January, 2002)
    http://www.abdn.ac.uk/mammal/water_vole.shtml
  3. UK Biodiversity Species Action Plan (January, 2002)
    http://www.ukbap.org.uk
  4. DEFRA News Release (May, 2008)
    http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2008/080226a.htm
  5. Woodroffe, G. (2000) The Water Vole. The Mammal Society, London.
  6. Jefferies, D.J., Morris, P.A. and Mulleneux, J.E. (1989) An enquiry into the changing status of the Water Vole Arvicola terrestris in Britain. Mammal Review, 19: 111 - 131.
  7. Macdonald, D.W. and Tattersall, F.T. (2001) Britain's Mammals: The Challenge for Conservation. Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Oxford University.
  8. English Nature. (1999) Water Vole: Guidance for Planners and Developers. English Nature, Peterborough.