common vole vs False Water Rat

Microtus arvalis compared with Xeromys myoides

Key Differences

• common vole is Near Threatened while False Water Rat is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	common vole	False Water Rat
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order same	Rodentia (Rodents)	Rodentia (Rodents)
Family	Cricetidae	Muridae (Mice & Rats)
Genus	Microtus	Xeromys
Species	Microtus arvalis	Xeromys myoides

Evolutionary Relationship

common vole and False Water Rat share a common ancestor at the Order level: Rodentia. (Rodents)

Conservation Status

common vole

NT — Near Threatened

False Water Rat

VU — Vulnerable

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	common vole	False Water Rat
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

common vole

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found across Europe (6 countries). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

False Water Rat

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

common vole

common vole (Microtus arvalis) is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List. Close to qualifying as threatened, with populations that may become vulnerable without conservation action.