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← Frequently Asked Questions
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How do you tell the difference between a bank vole and a field vole?
How do you tell the difference between a bank vole and a field vole?
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Norfolk Wildlife Trust is delighted to have patronage of His Majesty, The King
09 May, 2024
His Majesty, The King has announced his patronage of...
Come and discover Sweet Briar Marshes!
08 May, 2024
We're delighted to be opening our new Norwich na...
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How do you tell the difference between a bank vole and a field vole?
Both have a blunt nose, smaller ears and much shorter tail than mice.
Field voles have greyish-brown fur covering most of their body but have a paler grey underside. They have a very short tail which equates to approx 30% of the body length. Their ears are half hidden whereas those of a bank vole are more visible. Length is 10-13 cm. They mainly inhabit grassy fields but can also be found in open woodland.
Bank voles are the smallest of the UK voles at only approx 9cm in length. They have a rich red-brown back and creamy grey underside giving a distinct 2-tone effect. The ears are more visible than on a field vole but are still quite small, certainly smaller than those of a mouse. The tail is approx 50% of the body length. They inhabit broadleaved woodland, scrubland and hedgerows.
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