Shrews also have a very short life span – around 1 year as an average.The fourth, the lesser white-toothed shrew, is a species only found on the Isles of Scilly, Jersey and Sark. Three of these are found on mainland Britain. Four species of shrew are native to the UK.Small eyes, short tail, small ears, pointed snout.The larger species like the water vole may live for around 18 months. The average life expectancy for voles is between 3 and 12 months.
The fourth species is the Orkney vole which is found on five of the Orkney Isles.
The bank vole, field vole and water vole are the only species that occur on mainland Britain. This is rivalled only by the edible dormouse that can live for up to nine years! Five of these are native, the sixth, the edible dormouse, was introduced to Hertfordshire as an escapee in 1902.
What’s the difference between a mouse, vole and shrew? Mouse
