Formerly known as water-rats, these are actually a species of vole, and are more closely related to hamsters than rats.
Unlike wild rats they rarely bite when cornered, and are really furry and cute:
They live in burrows in river-banks...
Aren't they beautiful?
Ratty from Wind in the Willows was actually a water-vole...
Water vole numbers are dwindling sa their habitats become increasingly threatened...
Of course water-voles love swimming...
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If you keep your eyes open next time you visit the countryside you may well see a sight like this
If we don't look after their habitat, these beautiful furry animals will soon become extinct...
