10 Common British Mammals You'll Encounter in the Wild

Great Britain is brimming with life that's hidden just outside your door. The moment you step out into the wild, you're visiting the home of millions of creatures, from tiny mice to voles and badgers.

The number of mammals that call Britain their home is growing too. Thanks to the efforts of nature preserves, we're once again beginning to see visitors like beavers, pine martens, and even the elusive lynx. Let's look at some of the most common British Mammals you can find in the wild - how many have you seen on your travels?

1. House Mice

The house mouse is one of the most well-known species of the mouse genus. It's the second most common mammal in the UK, with numbers that stretch well into the millions. The house mouse has a tail that's shorter than the common rat, and it can grow up to 10 centimetres long. Mice generally avoid bright lights and appear most often at dusk or during the night.

2. The Red Deer

The red deer stag, with it's incredible red-brown fur and its stunning antlers is one of the most incredible mammals in Britain. The best place to see this wonderful creature is in Scotland, which houses 70% of the UK population. You can also see red deer in the south west of England, East Anglia, and throughout the Lake District too.

3. Field Voles

The field vole is the third most common mammal in the UK. At last count, naturists reported about 75 million voles scattered across Britain. While a vole might not be as majestic as a deer, they're adorable little animals, around 11 centimetres in length and grey-brown in colour. You'll find them playing in woodland areas, river banks, and marshes. Just remember that these adorable creatures are highly territorial, so keep your distance.

4. The Common Shrew

Another incredibly common mammal in the UK, the shrew appears most frequently in grasslands, and woodlands. They can grow up to 8 centimetres in length, which means that some house mice are bigger than shrews! These furry critters are some of the greediest animals in the UK, eating up to 90% of their own body weight in insects, worms and spiders each day.

5. Rabbits

You just need to visit a local pet store for a glimpse at a bunny. However, if you'd rather see Bugs in his natural habitat, you can find rabbits located all over the UK. Rabbits feed on leafy weeds and grass, and come in many different shapes and sizes, from those with floppy ears, to those with ears that stick straight up. Interestingly, rabbits enjoy playing with dogs, and they can run exceptionally fast.

6. Moles

Moles might be a gardener's nightmare, but they're also a great sight to spot for a nature enthusiast. Moles can be found located across Europe, Asia, and North America, but they're particularly common in England. Despite their presence throughout most of the UK, moles don't live in Ireland at all. We can't imagine why these creatures aren't a fan of the Irish.

7. Grey Squirrels

Grey Squirrels are everywhere in the UK, although you're likely to find them most often in spaces with a lot of dense trees. Grey squirrels are fun little critters, but they're also notoriously greedy. In fact, they ate so much food that that they starved our poor red squirrel population. Despite their gluttonous nature, grey squirrels are still relatively cute, with their fluffy tail and playful attitude.

8. Bats

Bats are often overlooked in lists of the UK's most common mammals. However, just because these creatures have wings, doesn't mean that they don't belong in the list. Bats make up a huge portion of the resident mammal population in the UK, with 17 different species to choose from. In fact, bats are responsible for a quarter of the mammals in England. They'll appear often around wooded areas, particularly at night.

9. Hedgehogs

With their adorable sniffly noses and their spiky backs, hedgehogs are probably one of the most popular mammals in Britain. These tough creatures can live in a variety of different areas, including farms, gardens, and woodland. If you really want to see one, you can try putting out some dog or cat food and hope you get a visit. You might struggle to get rid of them after that though.

10. Foxes

Finally, though the fox population is in decline across the UK, they're still a common resident of many locations. You're more likely to see a fox in a city or town than in a more natural setting, though they appear most commonly at night. Country foxes are far more nervous around people and will generally creep around during dawn to avoid interactions.