Space use, habitat selection and daily activity of water voles Arvicola amphibius co-occurring with the invasive American mink Neovison vison

Abstract

A water vole Arvicola amphibius population inhabiting midfield ponds was studied by live-trapping, radio-telemetry and with camera traps. Within the midfield ponds, water voles did not prefer any particular type of littoral vegetation and avoided open water areas within the ponds. The mean distance of daily movements was 118 m for males and 53 m for females. The maximum distance between two locations of a radio-tracked individual within its home range during the whole study period was 450 m. Water vole movements between the studied ponds were very limited. Most of the hiding places were located in the areas around ponds. Water voles were active mostly during the night.