What ecological factor related to bark consumption suggests it is a survival measure?
Answer
They consume bark sparingly compared to other large water-side rodents like the coypu
The relative scarcity of bark consumption by the water vole, especially when contrasted with larger local rodents such as the coypu, implies that eating bark is not a primary or preferred feeding activity. Bark contains a high concentration of lignin and cellulose, materials that demand specialized digestive processes or are simply inefficient energy sources relative to roots or fresh greens. Therefore, consuming bark is viewed as a necessary survival tactic employed when carbohydrate-rich roots become inaccessible due to frozen ground, or when softer forage is entirely unavailable during harsh winter conditions.
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