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.