How are the water vole's ears described in relation to its thick fur and overall head appearance?
Answer
Small, round, and often appearing almost hidden within the thick fur
The ears of the water vole contribute significantly to its characteristic compact and rounded head appearance. They are described as being small and round. Furthermore, due to the density and thickness of the surrounding fur, these small ears frequently appear almost hidden when the vole is observed. This minimized external ear structure is believed to serve functional purposes in its environment, specifically by likely reducing heat loss when exposed to cold and minimizing drag while the animal is swimming through the water.
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