Field Vole

Field Vole

Short-tailed vole, Short-tailed field vole

Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Family
Subfamily
Genus
SPECIES
Microtus agrestis
Population size
Unknown
Life Span
18 months
Top speed
9
6
km/hmph
km/h mph 
Weight
20-51
0.7-1.8
goz
g oz 
Length
95-133
3.7-5.2
mminch
mm inch 

The short-tailed field vole, short-tailed vole, or simply field vole (Microtus agrestis ) is a grey-brown vole, around 10 cm in length, with a short tail. It is one of the most common mammals in Europe, with a range extending from the Atlantic coast to Lake Baikal. These voles are found in moist grassy habitats, such as woodland, marsh or on river banks. Although they make shallow burrows, they usually build nests above ground. They are an important food source for owls and some other predators and their population size tends to peak and trough cyclically. Field voles breed prolifically, mainly in summer, but often all year round, even under snow. Females produce up to seven litters a year, each averaging from four to six young which are weaned after about fourteen days. The short-tailed field vole is both widespread and common and is listed as being of "Least Concern" by the IUCN.

Appearance

The Field Vole resembles a small mouse, but with a stouter body and shorter tail. Also known as 'field mice', these rodents are accomplished tunnel diggers, burrowing the ground in search of roots and bulbs, which they feed upon. In fact, the Field Vole is one of the most frequently found small rodents in the countryside of Britain and Europe. This animal doesn't tend to enter houses, but can often be seen in backyards. Its coat is greyish-brown on the upper-parts and creamy-grey on the under-parts. The ears of field vole are rounded and furred, while the eyes are less prominent as compared to mice.

Distribution

Geography

The range of the field vole covers a huge territory across northern Europe, stretching from north-west Spain to Russia. However, they are most common in Britain and offshore islands (except for Ireland). Preferred habitat of these rodents is ungrazed grassland with abundance of vegetation. They occur in a wide variety of environments such as meadows, margins of fields, forestry plantations, hedgerows, dunes, open moorland and blanket bogs.

Field Vole habitat map

Climate zones

Field Vole habitat map
Field Vole
Public Domain Dedication (CC0)

Habits and Lifestyle

Period of increased activity in this species is dusk. However, they can be active during both day and night. Field voles are solitary and highly territorial animals, fiercely and aggressively defending their territories from intruders. When fighting, they are extremely noisy, emitting loud squeaking sounds and giving out angry chattering noises. Each individual makes paths through the grass stems, starting from a tussock, where nesting site is located. Despite their digging habits, these voles nest above the surface on grass stems, which are often protected by a stone or log. They are known to store grass for winter, collecting it in small underground burrows, which they dig themselves. For safety reasons, Field voles open paths through high grass, which help them easily run and flee when threatened, returning to their burrows through these routes. These rodents also have special defecation sites, where they leave characteristic little piles of chopped up grass stalks.

Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

Field voles are predominantly herbivorous. Their diet mainly consists of grass stems and green leaves, supplemented with roots, bulbs and bark, especially during the winter months, when there's scarcity of fresh vegetation. In addition, these rodents are known to consume invertebrates such as insect larvae.

Mating Habits

REPRODUCTION SEASON
from March-April to October-December
PREGNANCY DURATION
3 weeks
BABY CARRYING
4-6 babies
INDEPENDENT AGE
21 days
BABY NAME
baby vole, pup

Little is known about the Field voles’ mating system. However, it is known that most vole species are polygynous. They breed from March-April to October-December. Field voles construct their nests both under and above the ground, typically in clumps of grass or sedge. Gestation period lasts for 3 weeks, giving birth to 4 - 6 young. Females of this species can yield 2 - 7 litters per year. Newborn field voles grow rapidly. They feed upon maternal milk for 12 days, leaving the nest by 21 days old, after which female offspring live within or near the home range of their mother. Meanwhile, young males immediately disperse, being driven away by adult males. Females are sexually mature at 28 days old, whereas males reach maturity within 40 days after birth.

Population

Population threats

Field voles are affected by a number of factors throughout their range. Thus, they suffer from overgrazing, poisoning by rodenticides, scrub growth, urban development, decline of rough grassland as well as lack of hedgerows and other linear objects.

Population number

The Field vole is common and widespread throughout its range but the global population size of this species is unknown. However, according to The Mammal society, a recent population estimate put the number of Field voles in Britain at 75,000,000 individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC), and its numbers remain stable.

Ecological niche

Field voles have an important role as key prey for their natural predators (barn owls, kestrels, other owls, weasels, stoats, foxes and snakes).

Fun Facts for Kids

  • These animals are known to construct runways under lawns.
  • They don't undergo hibernation and can be active during both day and night.
  • Field voles have an extremely high birth rate: a single female may yield up to 100 young per year.
  • Field vole is one of the most common mammals in Britain. As highly productive breeders, they may increase to thousands in suitable conditions. Such increased populations are called ‘vole plagues’. However, this results in less successful breeding due to competition for territory and food as well as increased aggression.
  • Voles are generally accomplished swimmers and excellent divers. Voles, found near water, often survive tides and flooding due to swimming and climbing to nearby vegetation.
  • Voles belong to the family of Cricetidae along with their close relatives, hamsters.

References

1. Field Vole Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_vole
2. Field Vole on The IUCN Red List site - http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/13426/0

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