Water vole is the largest of the British voles and can sometimes be confused with brown rat, which also live near water. Water voles have glossy brown fur and a blunt muzzle with small, black eyes. Their ears are rounded and almost hidden in their fur and their tail is dark and slightly furry. Water voles are mostly active during the day.

Ratty, in Kenneth Grahame's 'The Wind in the Willows', was actually a water vole.  

Their waterside burrows have many floor levels that hinder flooding, as well as nesting chambers and a food store for the long winter months. Although water voles are a quick meal for many predators. The UK population of water voles suffered a catastrophic level of predation by the American mink.