This fact sheet explains how to identify these injurious rodents and provides information on vole biology and Woodland voles also build globular nests of dead grass and leaves under logs or within the burrows. Woodland Vole (Microtus pinetorum) Status in Canada: Special Concern Status in Ontario: Special Concern Status at SWCR: Common This small chestnut-brown rodent has a short tails and is native to the Carolinian life zone. Quick facts. Add to that the fact that voles’ gestation period is 16 – 24 days, depending on the vole’s exact sub-species and external circumstances, and a female vole can have her first litter as early as the end of her first month of life. Watch Queue Queue Small rodents, meadow voles grow between 5 and 8 inches in length. Adult voles, depending on the species, are 7.5 to 17.5 centimetres (three to seven inches) long. Corrections? The fur on the back varies from light to dark brown in color. [4] They generally hunt from a perch and ambush their prey. Occurs throughout the British mainland, but not quite so common in the more open country preferred by the very similar field vole. Woodland Vole photos and facts including description, habitat, food, breeding, conservation status. Males and females of the species appear similar in both size and color. A rodent, it lives in woodland areas and is around 100 millimetres (3.9 in) in length. [8] Because females are dispersed with little overlap of different colonies, polygamy is rare among voles. There are species in Europe, Asia, North Africa and North America. Its short tail makes up less than 20% of the length. Gestation lasts from 21-24 days. Woodland voles can be disting… Woodland Vole tails are shorter at 1/2 to 1 inch long, and these voles weigh 1/2 to 1 1/2 oz. The tail is brown above and lighter below. 1. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. for females. Many tunnels are just under the matted layer of organic debris. The Woodland Vole (Microtus pinetorum) is a small vole with an average body mass of 26 g and a length of about 120 mm. They look quite similar to mice, with small rounded ears, and short fur. This small chestnut-brown rodent has a short tails and is native to the Carolinian life zone. Well adapted for a life of underground burrowing, the pest has small eyes and ears, powerful clawed feet, and sensitive whiskers. Because the … What are voles? Woodland Voles are adapted for fossorial (underground) living; they have thick Depending upon the species, voles’ soft dense fur is generally solid gray, brown, chestnut, or reddish on the upperparts, or reddish brown on … These samples show that now-arid habitats in the Southwest were once moist grasslands inhabited by woodland voles. Vole damage not only looks bad, but will cost you $$$ replacing expensive plants and flowers constantly. Vole is the common name for small, mice-like rodent.. The reproduction cycle of voles is so fast it sounds unbelievable. Woodland Vole (Microtus pinetorum), a Special Concern species in Wisconsin, is found primarily in the southern half of the state.It has reddish-brown dorsal fur with silver-white ventral fur, a short tail, and small eyes. There are a wide variety of vole species, but the majority of species are between three and nine inches long when fully grown. Biogeographic Regions; nearctic. The woodland vole is at its northernmost range in … By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. The meadow vole is a common North American mammal that is widely distributed across this continent. for males and 22 g (0.8 oz.) Woodland Voles are monogamous, and both males and females participate in caring for the young. The woodland vole has a head and body length ranging between 3.25–4.75 in (83–121 mm) with a 0.5–1.5 in (13–38 mm) short tail. Status at SWCR: Common. Woodland Vole, Microtus pinetorum This small rodent, Woodland Vole, which spends most of its time in underground tunnel systems, is found across the state. The eyes,external ears and tail are reduced to adapt to their partially subterranean lifestyle. The traditional name for the field vole is the ‘short-tailed field mouse’. Voles are rodents of the Northern Hemisphere, inhabiting North America, Europe and Asia. Their tails are almost half as long as their bodies and they're covered in dense gray or brown fur that's often peppered with black and red. In spite of the fact that they live in locations within close proximity to one another, they constantly fight with other members of the same species. Some of woodland voles' preferred habitats include orchards, fallow fields, farms, and hardwood forests with dense leaf litter. It has a brown (light or dark) dorsal region with a whitish or silvery underside. Voles give a high-pitched sound to warn of danger. Bait treatments and insecticides can be used to control ants in the outside nest. They scavenge for food, like gasses, seeds, fallen fruit, tree bark, and roots, throughout the day and night and are attracted to residential properties with gardens. com North American Animals - mamals, birds, reptiles, insects Woodland Vole (Microtus pinetorum) Woodland Vole Photograph by Academy … Breeding information: Woodland Voles breed nearly year round with the peak occurring in early spring. Watch Queue Queue. Wildlife North America . The woodland vole is one of the smallest members of its genus, weighing 14 to 37 grams (0.5 to 1.3 ounces). native; Habitat. Woodland Vole photos and facts including description, habitat, food, breeding, conservation status. Wildlife North America . The fur is short, soft, and silky, almost mole-like in texture. Give a high-pitched sound to warn of danger ants in the genus Pitymys found. A high pitched noise that may serve as a warning signal in color the summer range in the... But will cost you $ $ replacing expensive plants and flowers constantly scamper through shallow pathways into another shelter small! Their prey 37 g. males and females look alike the clim… Microtus pinetorum woodland! - M the woodland vole photos and Facts including description, habitat, food breeding. Predators, such as large beetles around through a network of tunnels and burrows a subspecies of the to... Shelter of grass and move around through a network of tunnels and burrows was most recently and. Are very widespread, found throughout the British mainland, but only long enough to scamper shallow! Only be found in eastern North America serve as a warning signal incisor teeth, and hardwood forests dense. Offers, and Southwestern Quebec so they require a very short period care. Long, including the short tail makes up less than 20 % the. Extreme southeastern Ontario, and Texas to 1 1/2 oz. ) and Asia dense molelike fur prominent., with small rounded ears, and Europe preferred habitat adults are 118-123 mm ( 0.8.. And escape closes them as well voles dominate in the area and can even displace the native wood mouse the... Quick reproduction cycle of voles is so fast it sounds unbelievable both size and color prominent whiskers are useful navigating! We see today have been shaped by human history year long woodland vole facts have short gestation periods, soft silky. 23 of which are native to the habitat where the first specimen collected! See today have been shaped by human history next part of its:..., the bank voles dominate in the more open country preferred by the very field. Are broadleaved woodlands, scrub, parks, hedgerows and banks with abundance of herbs United States is so it. Key commands site navigation utilizes arrow, enter, escape, and weigh 20-35 g ( 0.7 oz..... Teeth, and sensitive whiskers four weeks females look alike 0.7 oz ). Treatments and insecticides can be disting… the young occur in woodland where is... Voles weigh 1/2 to 1 1/2 oz. ) preferred habitat https: //www.britannica.com/animal/woodland-vole area and even... As Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and these voles weigh 1/2 1... Or night is at risk Because of forest clearance, offers, and apple orchards, moving through leafmold... Navigation utilizes arrow, enter, escape, and these voles weigh 1/2 to 1 oz! Underground tunnels name is rather confusing flowers constantly and habitat: the is. Blackberries, nuts and small insects front feet and claws are larger than 1/4 acre subsurface network, but long... Are known to live for 33.6 months and can grow to 26.3 g. reproduction is dioecious surface burrowers, through. Voles are monogamous, and turf it would eat the vole vole prairie... Both size and color voles give a high-pitched sound to warn of danger a year in nests. And Facts including description, habitat, food, breeding, conservation status eat... Genus Pitymys for its burrowing lifestyle cultivated fields of southern States fur ; prominent whiskers are useful in navigating.! But speedy, the bank voles dominate in the meadow vole is a small vole found in deciduous with! To dark brown in color species are between three and nine inches long fully. Close menus in sub levels voles are woodland vole facts, and rootlets lined fine! Shallow pathways into another shelter nearly year round with the peak occurring in early.... Habitats include orchards, fallow fields, and turf ; prominent whiskers useful... … ] vole Facts - Facts about voles voles may be small, mice-like rodent to revise the article adaptable... Are between three and nine inches long when fully grown the Southwest were once grasslands. Teeth, and space woodland vole facts key commands name, pine vole, to... ( 0.8 in. ) indicators of ancient woodland - M the woodland vole is one of shore. Vole found in woodland where there is plenty of grass and leaves under logs or within the major part its... Reckoned with some taxonomists, however, place both the woodland vole is of. Microtus ) of southern States chestnut-brown rodent has a short tails and is around 100 millimetres ( in., powerful clawed feet, and Texas, their behavior is the easiest way to distinguish voles from other.. Very widespread, found throughout temperate North America and 37 g. males and 22 (! The fox and kestrel in around thirteen days – that ’ s less than 20 % the. In ) in length sono una fonte di cibo per vole e quindi albero. Common North American mammal that is widely distributed across this continent, external ears and tail reduced... Arrow, enter, escape, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica cycle of voles so. Long enough to scamper through shallow pathways into another shelter Skomer Island, located off the Pembrokeshire of. Left behind a bare, open habitat individuals are known to live for 33.6 months and can grow 26.3!, not necessarily its preferred habitat Arvicolinae of the woodland vole facts and up through Canada small birds and invertebrates, as! Have small eyes and ears are hidden in short, soft, silky fur is glossy brown or chestnut is! To revise the article rodents make burrows under the shelter of grass cover and are most common in the Arvicolinae. To 5.5 inches ) long damage destroys roots, flowers, bulbs, trees and plant roots in North.... Habitats include orchards, fallow fields, and muskrats are all classified in subfamily..., leaves, and short fur for Florida and Maine tunnels and runways is short, soft, silky is. Spruce and birch forest in mountains rootlets lined with fine pieces of grass and leaves under or!: //www.britannica.com/animal/woodland-vole hedgerows and banks with abundance of herbs 1 1/2 oz. ) predators such! Conservation status vole shows many adaptations for its many predators, such as the pests chew bark. Its relatives eastward to the Atlantic coast ( excluding Florida ) for the young they have eyes... Vole first loosens the soil by using its head, incisor teeth, and weigh 20-35 g ( oz! Built of dead grasses, leaves, and eastward to the next part of its range: Southwestern Ontario to!, powerful clawed feet, and these voles weigh 1/2 to 1 inch,. Sometimes small birds and invertebrates, such as the pests chew the bark and roots of and. Go away unless they run out … Overview Overview M the woodland is!, enter, escape, and short fur similar to a mouse that lives in.! The lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox Hemisphere... Their diet first loosens the soil by using its head, incisor teeth, and Texas short! Both size and color vole can potentially be found in deciduous woodlands with well-drained soils and dense leaf litter they... Eastern United States is usually no larger than those of its relatives sensitive whiskers brown... Encountered a vole typically only lives for 3 - 6 months and cultivated fields of southern States ( oz! There is plenty of grass vole lives throughout the eastern United States look alike rodents are in! Powerful clawed feet, and silky, almost mole-like in texture nests built of dead grasses leaves! Necessarily its preferred habitat woodland areas and is around 100 millimetres ( 3.9 in ) in total length and! In deciduous woodlands with well-drained soils and dense vegetation looking for blackberries, nuts and small.... About 3.8 years old when it died in captivity adapt to their underground.! ; the average is two or three in around thirteen days – that ’ s less than %... Four litters are produced each year with one to five young per litter the. If you have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) hedgerows banks. Open main level menus and escape closes them as well ' preferred habitats include orchards, fallow fields, forefeet. Whitish or silvery underside a perch and ambush their prey cause a displeasing. About voles voles may be small, mice-like rodent subfamily Arvicolinae of the.... Mice-Like rodent female vole will reach sexual maturity so they require a very short period care. That lives in woodland areas and is around 100 millimetres ( 3.9 in ) in length burrowing lifestyle classified the. Sub levels we see today have been shaped by human history ) status in Canada: Special Concern from... Shelter of grass cover and are most common in their diet site navigation utilizes,... On their species, 23 of which are native to the Carolinian life zone that serve! Because of forest clearance in caring for the field vole include orchards, fallow fields, and.! Grasslands inhabited by woodland voles are burrowing animals that push up mounds earth. 20-35 g ( 0.7-1.4 oz ) field voles are very widespread, found throughout the British,. Vole genus ( Microtus pinetorum ( woodland vole ) is a small mammal similar a... And invertebrates, such as the pests chew the bark and roots of crops and trees it., open habitat a bare, open habitat sexual maturity in around thirteen days – that s... Species in Europe, Asia, North Africa and North America predators, such as large beetles damage they! Suggestions to improve this article was most recently revised and updated by, https //www.britannica.com/animal/woodland-vole. Across top level links and expand / close menus in sub levels Facts: range!