The "Chinese dog" has nothing to do with China or dog breeds. This is how gardeners called a rather large rodent, the official name of which is the water vole. This animal is shrouded in secrets and riddles.
Riddles of the Chinese dog
The Chinese dog belongs to the hamster family. This is a rodent whose body reaches 20 cm in length. The traditional habitat of the animal is considered to be the shores of lakes, rivers, ponds and other bodies of water, but it can stay in vegetable gardens and gardens that are located at a great distance from its house. The main disadvantage of the water vole for gardeners and gardeners is the rodent's appetite. The fact is that at his summer cottage he eats any edible products - vegetables, fruits, young seedlings, seeds, roots and leaves of plants. With their forays, Chinese dogs literally devastate territories and cause significant damage to crops.
A rodent dog is called a dog for some behavior. Water voles are very playful, and their intermittent whistle resembles the squeal or playful barking of a dog.
Appearance
The size of a Chinese dog can be compared to a guinea pig or a very large rat. The coat of this rodent can be dark brown, mottled or lighter shades. The tail is small, slightly fluffy. Outwardly, the water vole is very much like an ordinary hamster. However, in agility and dexterity, it surpasses him several times.
When a Chinese dog is in danger, it makes shrill sounds and hits the ground with its tail. Rodents are quite aggressive and try to defend themselves in every way.
In the winter, Chinese dogs hibernate, and in the summer they lead a predominantly diurnal lifestyle. If the winter temperature is rather high, water voles may wake up. They feed on their own reserves or look for food in the snow covers. Given the diversity of the diet of these animals, they can find food in any conditions.
The water vole is called the Chinese dog only among the people. According to some sources, such a comparison is due to the arguments that the inhabitants of China specifically spread this animal around the world. However, such arguments are not substantiated.
Like hamsters, Chinese dogs have roomy cheek pouches, where the rodent hide the collected food.
Ways to deal with a Chinese dog
It is very difficult to drive a Chinese dog out of a summer cottage. For many gardeners, it becomes a real misfortune. Experts recommend using traditional methods of rodent control - poisons, traps, traps. However, among the many characteristics of the animal, an amazing cunning occupies a special place. He can not eat poisoned food and easily bypasses the traps.
Weasels and ferrets are another method of fighting. These animals are happy to include water voles in their diet. Anyone can get a ferret, but the weasel is too capricious in nature. In addition, some cats and dogs also watch out for the opportunity to catch rodents, including Chinese dogs.
