What specific aquatic feature do water voles lack that hinders perfect adaptation for water movement?
Answer
Webbed feet or a rudder-like tail
Although water voles possess features aiding semi-aquatic life, such as thick fur and hairy fringes on their feet that assist in swimming, they are not perfectly evolved for aquatic dominance. The text explicitly points out that they lack certain key adaptations seen in other aquatic mammals, namely webbed feet or a rudder-like tail, which would provide superior propulsion and steering in the water. Their survival strategy thus relies heavily on rapid diving escapes and the immediate refuge provided by their complex burrow systems rather than prolonged open-water navigation.
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