Eurasian water shrew vs European water vole

Neomys fodiens compared with Arvicola amphibius

Key Differences

• Eurasian water shrew is Endangered while European water vole is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Eurasian water 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	Neomys	Arvicola
Species	Neomys fodiens	Arvicola amphibius

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Eurasian water shrew

EN — Endangered

European water vole

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Eurasian water shrew	European water vole
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Eurasian water shrew

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Russia, and Sweden. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

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.

Eurasian water shrew

Eurasian water shrew (Neomys fodiens) is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List. At high risk of extinction in the wild, with significant population decline and ongoing threats to survival.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 5 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇷🇺 Russia 🇸🇪 Sweden