Water Vole

Microtus richardsoni

The Water Vole is the largest North American vole, inhabiting streamside meadows at high elevations in the Rocky Mountains and Cascades. It swims readily in mountain streams and constructs its burrow systems along stream banks with underwater entrances. Unlike European water voles, the North American species does not live in lowland rivers.

Habitat

Alpine and subalpine streamside meadows

Diet

Sedges, rushes, grasses, and willows

How common

Uncommon

Not certain it is a Water Vole? What animal is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.