Mammals of Hobsons Conduit

Water Voles

Ratty from Wind in the Willows, is found all along the conduit, where it has managed to survive the arrival of the Mink in the river Cam. This species was once very common but now has a much more restricted range due in part to predation by the mink. A good population is present from close to Nine Wells right down to the Botanical Gardens.  Water voles are a protected species and seem to like this environment.  They look superficially like the brown rat, but are from a different family and have a much rounder face, darker fur and their ears are also much smaller than a rat. They can often be seen nibbling vegetation along the banks or swimming strongly along the water course.  They dig burrows close to the waters edge.

Water Shrews

These are the largest of the British shrews and are present in the conduit, where they feed  by swimming underwater to catch such things as caddis fly larvae and other aquatic insects. They are black on top top with white undersides and a very pointed nose. They also feed along the banks on more terrestrial insects and worms. They are solitary animals and very territorial but have a very short life living only 18 months as a maximum.

Muntjac

Whilst not strictly an aquatic mammal, Muntjac are now so common, that they are often seen on the banks of the Conduit. Their bark often heard at night can be mistaken for a fox.