Bank Vole (Myodes glareolus)

Bank voles are common and widespread across the UK, thriving in woodlands, hedgerows, parks, and gardens.

These small mammals are highly active but remain vigilant, using dense vegetation and underground burrows as shelter from predators such as foxes, birds of prey, and weasels. Although primarily herbivorous, feeding on seeds, berries, and plant matter, they also consume insects and fungi to diversify their diet.

Bank voles play a vital role in their ecosystems by dispersing seeds and spores. They are active year-round, though they may slow down during harsh winter conditions, and are known for their rapid breeding, producing several litters each year.

• A dropping sample with sufficient biological material to be used as a reserve is required in case the extraction is unsuccessful the first time: the fresher a sample is, the more likely the test will be able to extract viable DNA.
• Other viable sample types include fur/hair, tissue and blood.
• Often an identified species in bat dropping analysis as well as through biological analysis.
• Samples can be taken using a biological sampling kit or using your own secure containers/resources.