Guernsey Press

Study finds island’s small mammals are bigger than average

NEW research into Guernsey’s own sub-species of vole and other small mammals will be presented to the public today.

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Imperial College London students Ellie Scopes and Alex Hayward are giving a talk today at Candie Lecture Theatre, Of Mice and Voles, about their study of Guernsey’s small mammals. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 22876588)

Imperial College London students Alex Hayward, 23, and Ellie Scopes, 22, came to Guernsey in the summer to research small mammals on the island as part of their master’s studies, which they have now completed.

They will be presenting their findings – and discussing some of the possible causes – at the Candie Lecture Theatre at 11am.

‘We are hoping it is going to be an ongoing study. From what we have done so far, we have only scratched the surface and we are quite excited by it,’ said Mr Hayward.

‘We had a really good time and want to come back to Guernsey.’

They studied 300 shrews, 150 voles and 150 wood mice in their research. They used a mixture of small mammals that they humanely captured and corpses that were supplied for research purposes.

The samples were compared with those from other countries.

‘We have reason to believe the Guernsey vole may be its own sub-species, which is really interesting.

‘They are about 10% bigger. It isn’t a massive difference but it is noticeable and it is significant enough to be of interest.’

The wood mice were also shown to be slightly bigger than average.

‘The wood mice also have a different colour pattern,’ said Miss Scopes.

‘We want to continue to study why they have got bigger and whether they will continue to get bigger. It is absolutely bonkers because it doesn’t make sense.’

Of both species, Mr Hayward added: ‘They are both interesting and we want to try to conserve the population and study them further.’

Mr Hayward hoped a lot of people would attend their talk.

‘It appeals to young families and people who are interested in the island as well,’ he said.

The talk, which is open to all, is free to La Societe Guernesiaise members, with a suggested donation of £5 for non-members.