Small mammals are aplenty in the fields and hedgerows of the UK, and can even be spotted in our homes and gardens on the odd occasion.
Despite all being classed as mammals, these creatures all have their own unique characteristics and behavioural patterns that distinguish them from one another.
Although rodent control Liverpool is a pretty big industry, and these species can certainly pose issues if they find their way inside your property, the vast majority keep themselves well to themselves and are vital components of our country’s ecosystem.
In this guide we will look at some of the most common native UK rodents, helping you to identify the creature that goes scuttling across your path the next time that you are out and about in the great British countryside.
Mice
Mice are one of the most commonly spotted species of rodent in the UK. They are actually 4 species of mouse in the UK, however, and many other small rodents are aften mistaken for these creatures.
All mice have large ears and a tail with little or no hair on it.
The four main types of mouse found in the UK are house mice, field mice, harvest mice, and yellow-necked mice. These species vary in size and colour from the smallest harvest mouse (5-7cm) to the largest Yellow-necked mouse (11-12cm).
All are significantly smaller than rats however, something that will help you tell them apart if you are indeed unlucky enough to be facing a pest control problem.
Mice tend to me found in hedgerows, woodland, gardens, and of course, fields.
Voles
Voles are often mistaken for mice but are actually a completely different species entirely.
Their coast is a lot redder/browner than a mouse and their tail is significantly shorter compared to their bodies. Water voles have tails even shorter than bank voles and field voles and can be distinguished by their yellow teeth and much larger size. Water voles can grow over 20 cm in length and spend their times in and around the rivers of the UK.
Whilst most voles are confused with mice by the casual observer, water voles are more likely to be confused with black rats due to their significant size.
Shrews
Shrews are some of the smallest native mammals found in the UK with both common and pygmy shrews coming in at a minute 4cm in length in some cases. Like voles, they have tails around half the length of their bodies (far shorter than mice) and are characterised by their two or even three tone fur running down their bodies.
Being so small, these mammals are pretty cute to look at but the water shrew actually packs a nasty surprise for any frogs or similar water dwellers who come too close. This is one of the only venomous mammals in the UK and uses its toxin to paralyse its prey.
If you happen to spot a shrew swimming in your local river, the chances are that it is a water shrew.