Nature & Heritage

Mammals

From water voles to red deer, The Flow Country is home to some of Scotland’s most iconic mammal species. While herds of red deer are not easy to miss, many more elusive species can be found in this vast landscape.

Small Mammals

The most populous mammals in the Flow Country by some margin, these illusive species are not easily seen!

Did you know?

Unlike water voles in England and Wales which are brown, Scottish water voles tend to be black. They are genetically distinct populations. Scottish water voles are descended from populations in northern Iberia which colonised in the last ice age, while populations elsewhere in the UK are descended from southern European stock.

Did you know?

Water voles are some of the most threatened mammals in the UK. They have disappeared from 94% of their former range, due to habitat degradation, pollution, and the introduction of American mink, an invasive predator.

Did you know?

As their name suggests, water voles tend to be associated with areas of water, generally inhabiting banks of rivers, ditches and lakes. However, recently a population of terrestrial (fossorial) water voles has been discovered in Glasgow!

Carnivores

The Flow Country is home to several carnivorous mammals. Red foxes are incredible generalists, just as suited to bustling city streets to the vast wilderness of the Flow Country. Otters are also found here, the many rivers and lochs providing ample habitat for this aquatic mammal. The smallest of the mammalian carnivores in the Flow Country is the weasel. It may only be 20 centimetres in length, but it is a voracious predator and specialises in hunting small mammals.

 

Did you know?

In the late 1950s, otters suffered huge declines in the UK, likely due to a combination of pollution and habitat destruction. Nowadays, populations have largely recovered and otters are even expanding their ranges in some areas.

Deer

The largest of the mammals in The Flow Country. Two species of deer inhabit this area, both with different niches and life histories.