Meadow Vole
Microtus pennsylvanicus
Appearance
- Small rodent, short legs, short tail.
- Average length 6.5".
- Chestnut-brown fur which is greyer in Winter.
- Front paws have four toes, hind paws have five.
- Round nose.
Lifecycle
- Females can reproduce 1-5 times a year.
- Average five pups per litter.
- Lifespan is less than one year in natural environment due to predators, can live several years when in captivity.
Habits
- Visibility - Are visible year-round. Most active at night during Summer, and during the day in Winter.
- Feeding - Grasses and seeds, tree bark in Winter.
- Location - Open fields including wet meadows especially areas with dense plant cover.
- Nesting - They create underground burrows and build a summer nest from dry grass. During the Winter they make nests above ground level under snow.