Unusual meat eating behaviour recorded in water voles

The water vole is the UK's fastest declining mammal and is known to have a largely vegetarian diet consisting of grass and plants. But a recent survey along the Kennet & Avon Canal in Berkshire has revealed that these shy creatures have been snacking on frogs' legs, as well as the odd snail.

UNLIKELY MEAT-EATER: The water vole

Unexpectedly gruesome scene

British Waterways' ecologists Robert Randall and Oda Dijksterhuis carried out the surveys. Robert explains: ‘We found a number of typical water-vole feeding areas that were littered with dead frogs, minus their legs. As a water vole's diet is normally vegetarian, this rather gruesome scene isn't what we'd expect to find at all.'

Although there was no firm explanation for the change in diet, the ecologists do have a theory. Robert added: ‘We're not really sure why it's happening, but as the evidence coincides with the water voles' breeding season we think it may be that pregnant mothers are snacking on frogs' legs because they lack protein in their diet.

Incredibly unsusual behaviour

‘This is incredibly unusual behaviour and as far as we know this is the first recorded evidence we have of them eating frogs' legs, so it's a really exciting discovery. We'll be keeping an eye on what happens next over the coming months.'

Meanwhile, British Waterways are continuing to see monitor wildlife. If you see a water vole, frog or any other wildlife on your local canal or river, British Waterways wants to hear about it. Just make a note of what you see and where, and log your sighting at www.waterscape.com/wildlifesurvey.