Eurasian Least Shrew vs European water vole

Sorex minutissimus compared with Arvicola amphibius

Key Differences

• Eurasian Least Shrew is Least Concern while European water vole is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Eurasian Least Shrew	European water vole
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Soricomorpha (Soricomorpha)	Rodentia (Rodents)
Family	Soricidae	Cricetidae
Genus	Sorex	Arvicola
Species	Sorex minutissimus	Arvicola amphibius

Evolutionary Relationship

Eurasian Least Shrew and European water vole share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Mammals)

Conservation Status

Eurasian Least Shrew

LC — Least Concern

European water vole

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Eurasian Least Shrew	European water vole
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Eurasian Least Shrew

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Norway, Russia, and Sweden.

European water vole

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Russia, and Sweden. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 3 countries:

🇳🇴 Norway 🇷🇺 Russia 🇸🇪 Sweden