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Field Vole
The field vole occurs typically in ungrazed grassland or in the early stages of forestry plantations but may also live in
woodland, hedgerows, dunes, scree or moorland, wherever grass is available. Shredded grass leaves are used to make their
nests which are about 10cm in diameter and may be built at the base of grass tussocks, in underground burrows or even
under sheets of corrugated iron.
The breeding season begins in March/April and ends between October and December. Four or five young are normally found in each litter and females will give birth to five or six litters each year. Although this gives rise to large numbers, population turnover is rapid. Voles do not hibernate but moult to cope with the inevitable change in temperature with the seasons.
Moulting provides a dense layer of fur for winter and a "lighter" coat in spring.
The breeding season begins in March/April and ends between October and December. Four or five young are normally found in each litter and females will give birth to five or six litters each year. Although this gives rise to large numbers, population turnover is rapid. Voles do not hibernate but moult to cope with the inevitable change in temperature with the seasons.
Moulting provides a dense layer of fur for winter and a "lighter" coat in spring.
Stoat
The nests of former prey are taken over as dens which may be lined with rodent fur in colder climates. Within its territory the
resident stoat will have several dens which it uses periodically.
Male and female stoats live separately, marking their territories with scent. These animals will defend their territory against intruders of the same sex, but in spring the males' system breaks down as they range widely in search of females.
Although females (including this year's kits, which may be only 2 - 3 weeks old) are mated in early summer, they do not give birth until the following spring because implantation is delayed for 9 - 10 months and active gestation is only 4 weeks.
A large litter of between 6 and 12 young is born - blind, deaf and barely furred. The female feeds them for up to 12 weeks, by which time they are developing into efficient hunters.
Male and female stoats live separately, marking their territories with scent. These animals will defend their territory against intruders of the same sex, but in spring the males' system breaks down as they range widely in search of females.
Although females (including this year's kits, which may be only 2 - 3 weeks old) are mated in early summer, they do not give birth until the following spring because implantation is delayed for 9 - 10 months and active gestation is only 4 weeks.
A large litter of between 6 and 12 young is born - blind, deaf and barely furred. The female feeds them for up to 12 weeks, by which time they are developing into efficient hunters.
Weasel
Weasels specialise in hunting small rodents and their numbers depend on the abundance of their prey. The weasel's small
size enables it to search through tunnels and runways of mice and voles. Access to tunnels means weasels can hunt at any
time of the day or year. They do not hibernate and can hunt even under deep snow. Additional prey such as birds, eggs and
young rabbits may be taken, particularly if rodents are scarce.
Dens are usually nests of former prey taken over by weasels, and may contain the remains of food from several days meals. In cold climates the nests are often lined with fur from lemming prey. A weasel's home range usually contains several dens and resting places that are visited at intervals.
Weasel home ranges vary in size according to the distribution and density of prey. Male and females live in separate territories, male ranges being larger. Resident animals of both sexes may defend exclusive territories at times when numbers are high and neighbours numerous. In spring males extend their range to seek mates.
Usually only one litter, of 4-6 young are born per season, but two litters in years when field voles are abundant. Young are weaned at 3-4 weeks and can kill efficiently at 8 weeks; in a good vole year, young females can breed at 2-3 months old. Family groups split up at 9-12 weeks.
They are small enough to be regarded as prey by almost all other predators; hawks, owls, foxes, cats and mink have been known to eat them.
Traditionally weasels have been considered enemies of gamebirds and gamekeepers have exercised intensive predator control, trapping and killing many weasels along with other carnivores. Weasels do kill some gamebird chicks, but probably very few.
Weasels have no legal protection in Britain. Trapping probably has no long term effect: weasel populations are very resilient, and they naturally suffer high mortality. In bad rodent years many weasels starve and few of the survivors breed. Local populations often experience extinctions. However, weasels are extremely good at recolonising abandoned areas when conditions improve.
Dens are usually nests of former prey taken over by weasels, and may contain the remains of food from several days meals. In cold climates the nests are often lined with fur from lemming prey. A weasel's home range usually contains several dens and resting places that are visited at intervals.
Weasel home ranges vary in size according to the distribution and density of prey. Male and females live in separate territories, male ranges being larger. Resident animals of both sexes may defend exclusive territories at times when numbers are high and neighbours numerous. In spring males extend their range to seek mates.
Usually only one litter, of 4-6 young are born per season, but two litters in years when field voles are abundant. Young are weaned at 3-4 weeks and can kill efficiently at 8 weeks; in a good vole year, young females can breed at 2-3 months old. Family groups split up at 9-12 weeks.
They are small enough to be regarded as prey by almost all other predators; hawks, owls, foxes, cats and mink have been known to eat them.
Traditionally weasels have been considered enemies of gamebirds and gamekeepers have exercised intensive predator control, trapping and killing many weasels along with other carnivores. Weasels do kill some gamebird chicks, but probably very few.
Weasels have no legal protection in Britain. Trapping probably has no long term effect: weasel populations are very resilient, and they naturally suffer high mortality. In bad rodent years many weasels starve and few of the survivors breed. Local populations often experience extinctions. However, weasels are extremely good at recolonising abandoned areas when conditions improve.
The harvest mouse is mainly found from central Yorkshire southwards. Isolated records from Scotland and Wales probably
result from the release of captive animals. Harvest mice are extremely active climbers and feed in the stalk zone of long
grasses and reeds, particularly around dusk and dawn. Their hearing is acute and they will react sharply; they either freeze
or drop into cover in response to rustling sounds up to 7m away. Although their vision is not particularly good, they will
react to a change in silhouette.
Harvest mice have high energy requirements; the cost of being warm blooded and coping with a high surface to volume ratio.
Breeding nests are the most obvious sign indicating the presence of harvest mice. The harvest mouse is the only British mammal to build nests of woven grass well above ground. Nests tend to be found in dense vegetation such as grasses, rushes, cereals, grassy hedgerows, ditches and brambles. They are generally located on the stalk zone of grasses, at least 30cm above ground in short grasses and up to a metre in tall reeds. The size of the nest can vary from only 5cm in diameter for non-breeding nests to 10cm in diameter for breeding nests.
Nests are built by pregnant females, usually at night. The female shreds lengths of grass which are still attached to the stalk, using her incisors, while sitting on another stalk and supported by her hind feet and tail. Having shredded a large number of leaves in this way, she weaves them together to form an outer framework for the nest. The nest is then lined by pulling further grasses through the wall until it is densely woven without leaving an obvious entrance. (By contrast, nests of birds such as reed and sedge warbler are woven round the stems). Nests tend to stand out more in winter when the surrounding vegetation dies back.
Harvest mice usually have two or three litters a year in the wild, between late May and October, but even into December if the weather is mild. Most litters are born in August. Cold wet weather is a major cause of mortality. There are usually around six young in a litter. The young are born blind and hairless but grow extremely quickly and start to explore outside the nest by the 11th day. The young are abandoned after about 16 days, but continue using the nest which may at then start to look rather dilapidated. A fresh nest is built for each litter.
Harvest mice have high energy requirements; the cost of being warm blooded and coping with a high surface to volume ratio.
Breeding nests are the most obvious sign indicating the presence of harvest mice. The harvest mouse is the only British mammal to build nests of woven grass well above ground. Nests tend to be found in dense vegetation such as grasses, rushes, cereals, grassy hedgerows, ditches and brambles. They are generally located on the stalk zone of grasses, at least 30cm above ground in short grasses and up to a metre in tall reeds. The size of the nest can vary from only 5cm in diameter for non-breeding nests to 10cm in diameter for breeding nests.
Nests are built by pregnant females, usually at night. The female shreds lengths of grass which are still attached to the stalk, using her incisors, while sitting on another stalk and supported by her hind feet and tail. Having shredded a large number of leaves in this way, she weaves them together to form an outer framework for the nest. The nest is then lined by pulling further grasses through the wall until it is densely woven without leaving an obvious entrance. (By contrast, nests of birds such as reed and sedge warbler are woven round the stems). Nests tend to stand out more in winter when the surrounding vegetation dies back.
Harvest mice usually have two or three litters a year in the wild, between late May and October, but even into December if the weather is mild. Most litters are born in August. Cold wet weather is a major cause of mortality. There are usually around six young in a litter. The young are born blind and hairless but grow extremely quickly and start to explore outside the nest by the 11th day. The young are abandoned after about 16 days, but continue using the nest which may at then start to look rather dilapidated. A fresh nest is built for each litter.
Harvest Mouse
The hedgehog is common in parks, gardens and farmland throughout mainland Britain and Ireland. It has also been
introduced to many islands including Orkney, Shetland, Isle of Man and some of the Channel Islands. Hedgehogs prefer
woodland edges, hedgerows and suburban habitats where there is plenty of food for them. Intensively farmed arable land
is probably a poor habitat, as are moorlands and dense conifer forests.
Females have litters of 4-5 young (sometimes more), between April and September. Males do not assist in rearing them. Young born late often die, being too small to survive hibernation. They need to weigh at least 450g (1lb.) or they are not fat enough to last the winter.
HIbernation usually begins about November and ends around Easter, but is much affected by the weather. Hedgehogs normally wake up several times over winter and often build a new nest. In the spring they commonly spend a few days active then enter hibernation again during a cold snap. The winter nest ("hibernaculum") is made of leaves, tucked under a bush or log pile or garden shed, anywhere that offers support and protection. Hedgehogs travel about 1-2km each night, males more than females. They return to the same daytime nest for a few days then use another, perhaps returning to an old nest at a later date.
Hedgehogs carry several diseases, but none that are dangerous to humans. They carry a specific flea, which they sometimes pass to dogs, but do not carry the usual cat and dog fleas, which bite humans.
CONSERVATION
Hedgehogs are partially protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act and may not be trapped without a licence from Natural England, the Countryside Council for Wales or Scottish Natural Heritage.
Hedgehogs may become locally scarce or even disappear, but nationwide extinction is unlikely. Nevertheless, hedgehogs appear to be in decline. The total population is unknown.
The biggest threat to hedgehogs is probably habitat loss, with the change from pastoral farming to arable crops, over the last 30 years. The use of chemicals in gardens and for intensive farming kills the creatures hedgehogs need for food and may also poison them directly.
Many are also killed on the roads.
Hedgehogs survive well in gardens, particularly assisted by food put out for them, as modern tidy gardens may not otherwise provide sufficient food. Gardens are also hazardous. Strimmers (cutters with a rotating strip of cord) cut back rank vegetation in the very places hedgehogs lie up during the day, causing serious wounds to the sleeping animals. Hedgehogs hibernate under garden bonfire heaps. These should always be turned over before being burnt. Hedgehogs swim well but easily drown in smooth-sided garden ponds, being unable to escape from them. Ponds (and swimming pools) should have a piece of chicken wire dangling into the water to help the animals climb out. Garden netting is also dangerous unless staked down tightly to avoid hedgehogs becoming entangled.
Females have litters of 4-5 young (sometimes more), between April and September. Males do not assist in rearing them. Young born late often die, being too small to survive hibernation. They need to weigh at least 450g (1lb.) or they are not fat enough to last the winter.
HIbernation usually begins about November and ends around Easter, but is much affected by the weather. Hedgehogs normally wake up several times over winter and often build a new nest. In the spring they commonly spend a few days active then enter hibernation again during a cold snap. The winter nest ("hibernaculum") is made of leaves, tucked under a bush or log pile or garden shed, anywhere that offers support and protection. Hedgehogs travel about 1-2km each night, males more than females. They return to the same daytime nest for a few days then use another, perhaps returning to an old nest at a later date.
Hedgehogs carry several diseases, but none that are dangerous to humans. They carry a specific flea, which they sometimes pass to dogs, but do not carry the usual cat and dog fleas, which bite humans.
CONSERVATION
Hedgehogs are partially protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act and may not be trapped without a licence from Natural England, the Countryside Council for Wales or Scottish Natural Heritage.
Hedgehogs may become locally scarce or even disappear, but nationwide extinction is unlikely. Nevertheless, hedgehogs appear to be in decline. The total population is unknown.
The biggest threat to hedgehogs is probably habitat loss, with the change from pastoral farming to arable crops, over the last 30 years. The use of chemicals in gardens and for intensive farming kills the creatures hedgehogs need for food and may also poison them directly.
Many are also killed on the roads.
Hedgehogs survive well in gardens, particularly assisted by food put out for them, as modern tidy gardens may not otherwise provide sufficient food. Gardens are also hazardous. Strimmers (cutters with a rotating strip of cord) cut back rank vegetation in the very places hedgehogs lie up during the day, causing serious wounds to the sleeping animals. Hedgehogs hibernate under garden bonfire heaps. These should always be turned over before being burnt. Hedgehogs swim well but easily drown in smooth-sided garden ponds, being unable to escape from them. Ponds (and swimming pools) should have a piece of chicken wire dangling into the water to help the animals climb out. Garden netting is also dangerous unless staked down tightly to avoid hedgehogs becoming entangled.
Hedgehog
Grey-brown fur above, creamy-grey fur below, has tail much shorter than the bank vole, and fur is
shaggier, covering the ears. Rounded snout, less prominent eyes than mice and ears are furry.
Head/body length: 90-115mm; tail is <40% of head and body.
Weight: 20-40g. Lifespan: The average life span of a field vole is up to 1 year.
Diet: Grass is the field voles' major food source, with bents, fescues and hair grasses being preferred.
Field voles are found throughout mainland Britain and remains date back to before the end of the last glaciation, 11000 years ago.
Head/body length: 90-115mm; tail is <40% of head and body.
Weight: 20-40g. Lifespan: The average life span of a field vole is up to 1 year.
Diet: Grass is the field voles' major food source, with bents, fescues and hair grasses being preferred.
Field voles are found throughout mainland Britain and remains date back to before the end of the last glaciation, 11000 years ago.
Long slender body with short legs. Medium-short tail (length 95-140mm) always
with a black tip. Fur reddish brown to ginger above, white to cream below.
Some animals turn white or partially white in winter (known as 'ermine').
Head/body length: Males 275-312 mm; females 242-292 mm.
Weight: Males 200-445g; females 140-280g.
Lifespan: Can live up to around 5 years, or 6-8 years exceptionally, but usually don't survive beyond 1-2 years old.
Diet: Stoats feed mainly on small mammals, especially rabbits and water voles where these are abundant. Small rodents are also taken, supplemented by birds, eggs, fruit and even earthworms when food is scarce.
The stoat occurs throughout Britain and Ireland, living in any habitat at any altitude with sufficient ground cover and food. The stoat's presence on offshore islands depends upon prey availability.
Stoats don't like to be out in the open and so tend to hunt along ditches, hedgerows and walls or through meadows and marshes. They search each likely area systematically, often running in a zig-zag pattern. All but the largest prey is killed by a single bite to the back of the neck.
Some animals turn white or partially white in winter (known as 'ermine').
Head/body length: Males 275-312 mm; females 242-292 mm.
Weight: Males 200-445g; females 140-280g.
Lifespan: Can live up to around 5 years, or 6-8 years exceptionally, but usually don't survive beyond 1-2 years old.
Diet: Stoats feed mainly on small mammals, especially rabbits and water voles where these are abundant. Small rodents are also taken, supplemented by birds, eggs, fruit and even earthworms when food is scarce.
The stoat occurs throughout Britain and Ireland, living in any habitat at any altitude with sufficient ground cover and food. The stoat's presence on offshore islands depends upon prey availability.
Stoats don't like to be out in the open and so tend to hunt along ditches, hedgerows and walls or through meadows and marshes. They search each likely area systematically, often running in a zig-zag pattern. All but the largest prey is killed by a single bite to the back of the neck.
Fur ginger to russet brown, cream below. Long slender body, short tail (and no black tip).
Head/body length: Males 194-217mm; Females 173-183mm. Tail: males 42-52mm; females 34-43mm.
Weight: Males 106-131g, Females 55-69g.
Lifespan: Only around one in 90 weasels survives to over 2 years old.
Diet: Small mammals.
Widespread throughout Britain, weasels are our smallest and probably most numerous carnivores. However, they are absent from Ireland and most off-shore islands. They are found in a wide range of habitats which include urban areas, lowland pasture and woodland, marshes and moors. Weasels are less common where their small mammal prey are scarce, such as at higher altitudes and in dense woodland with sparse ground cover.
Head/body length: Males 194-217mm; Females 173-183mm. Tail: males 42-52mm; females 34-43mm.
Weight: Males 106-131g, Females 55-69g.
Lifespan: Only around one in 90 weasels survives to over 2 years old.
Diet: Small mammals.
Widespread throughout Britain, weasels are our smallest and probably most numerous carnivores. However, they are absent from Ireland and most off-shore islands. They are found in a wide range of habitats which include urban areas, lowland pasture and woodland, marshes and moors. Weasels are less common where their small mammal prey are scarce, such as at higher altitudes and in dense woodland with sparse ground cover.
Blunt nose and small hairy ears in contrast to other British species of mice and also much smaller;
prehensile tail the same length as the head and body; russet orange fur with a white underside.
Head/body length: 50-70mm.
Weight: 4-6g.
Lifespan: Based on tooth wear analysis, maximum lifespan in the wild in around 18 months.
Diet: They eat a mixture of seeds, berries and insects, although moss, roots and fungi may also be taken. Harvest mice sometimes take grain from cereal heads, leaving characteristic sickle-shaped remains. Noticeable damage to cereal crops is extremely rare.
Head/body length: 50-70mm.
Weight: 4-6g.
Lifespan: Based on tooth wear analysis, maximum lifespan in the wild in around 18 months.
Diet: They eat a mixture of seeds, berries and insects, although moss, roots and fungi may also be taken. Harvest mice sometimes take grain from cereal heads, leaving characteristic sickle-shaped remains. Noticeable damage to cereal crops is extremely rare.
Unmistakeable, the only spiny British mammal.
Head/body length: 150-300mm, depending on age, tail about 10-20mm.
Weight: Up to 2kg, heaviest in autumn.
Lifespan: Up to 10 years (but this is exceptional). Over half die within their first year, and average life expectancy is 2-3 years in the wild.
Diet: Beetles, worms, caterpillars, slugs and almost anything they can catch, but little plant material. They can also take eggs and chicks of ground-nesting birds though rarely in large numbers and much less so than foxes and crows.
Head/body length: 150-300mm, depending on age, tail about 10-20mm.
Weight: Up to 2kg, heaviest in autumn.
Lifespan: Up to 10 years (but this is exceptional). Over half die within their first year, and average life expectancy is 2-3 years in the wild.
Diet: Beetles, worms, caterpillars, slugs and almost anything they can catch, but little plant material. They can also take eggs and chicks of ground-nesting birds though rarely in large numbers and much less so than foxes and crows.
All info by kind permission of www.mammal.org.uk
For more information please go to the website for british hedgehogs
It is truly amazing what visits and lives in the average garden,
look out for these quite common visitors.