Vole
: Animalia : Chordata : Mammalia : Rodentia : Cricetidae : Arvicolinae Genera: Microtus, Clethrionomys, Phenacomys, Lagarus , Arvicola

A vole is a small rodent resembling a mouse but with a stouter body; a shorter, hairy tail; and smaller ears and eyes.

Description

Most vole species have rootless molar teeth which fold in to a series of triangles. Unlike most rodents, voles' molars, as well as their incisors, grow continuously.

They range in size from three to seven inches in length.

Habitat

Voles live in a variety of environments. The North American meadow vole lives in networks of above-ground "runways" in grassy areas, as well as underground burrows. California's red vole lives in the tree tops.

Range

Sometimes known as field mice in America, approximately 70 species of voles can be found in Europe, Asia, North Africa and North America.

Diet

Diet consists mainly of various green vegetation, such as grasses and clover, but also of tubers, conifer needles, bark, and insects, depending on species.

Predators

Most carnivores in the vole's range, from owls and hawks to coyotes, foxes, weasels, and cats, will eat voles.

Age

Most voles do not live past 12 months.