What type of predator is deterred by the dense riparian vegetation favored by water voles?
Answer
Aerial predators like owls and birds of prey
The heavy cover provided by dense vegetation, specifically grasses, reeds, and rushes growing right up to the water's edge, serves a critical defensive function for the water vole. This thick, low-lying cover offers essential physical concealment and protection from threats descending from above. Owls and various birds of prey constitute the primary aerial predators targeting these small mammals, so maintaining this dense vegetation corridor is vital for their survival and ability to forage safely near the open water.
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