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    Arvicola – Water voles

    With stocky bodies and short tails, but has essential ecological roles

    They may be small and often overlooked, but they play a crucial role in the food chain and ecosystem. These tiny rodents have characteristic short tails, small ears, and stocky bodies, which make them adept at foraging for food and escaping predators. Unfortunately, habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation are causing a decline in their populations.

    Conservationists have taken diverse actions to safeguard these invaluable creatures, including restoring wetlands and grasslands, implementing sustainable land-use practices, and rewilding habitats, recognizing that Arvicola’s vital ecological functions and charming appearance emphasize the importance of protecting all species, regardless of size.