What Is a Vole?
Voles closely resemble mice, but these rodents usually have sturdier bodies and longer hair. Voles live in a variety of habitats and are capable of causing damage to garden plants, shrubs and trees. In the United States and Canada, these creatures are known as "meadow mice," but in truth voles are from the same family as muskrats and lemmings.
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Description
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There are more than 70 species of voles worldwide, with the average length being between three and seven inches. Vole colors can range from brown to gray, and have thick fur with long hair. Voles are heavier than mice, and have short legs, tail and ears.
Longevity
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Voles are short-lived creatures, with many not surviving more than six months. Predators such as foxes, raccoons, coyotes, snakes, owls, hawks, pine martens, cats and weasels make voles an important part of their diet.
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Burrows
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The vole likes to live in areas where there is ground cover, such as grass, for protection. Voles live in a complex network of burrows and above-ground paths that connect these runways. There can be many voles living in these runways, where they hide from danger, find and store food, and raise their young.
Damage
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Voles will eat many things, including roots, bark, tubers, grasses, insects and small creatures such as snails. Voles cause damage by gnawing on the bark and roots of young trees during the winter, and have been known to eat garden plants such as beets and tomatoes. They can also be a major problem at golf courses and on lawns with their burrowing.
Reproduction
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Voles are prolific breeders. Some voles are capable of having as many as a dozen litters a year. The average vole will have four to six young; female voles are able to reproduce within 40 days after being born.
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Resources
- Photo Credit voles.com
