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California Vole
ExploreMammals
California Vole
Microtus californicus
California voles are small, furry animals that live in grasslands and fields. They have tiny ears and long tails, and they love to dig tunnels in the ground.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The California Vole is a stocky rodent with dull grayish-brown fur, a short tail, and small ears nearly hidden by its fur. It has small dark eyes. This makes it look more robust and less delicate than typical mice, with a broader head and a less prominent tail.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderRodentiaFamilyCricetidaeGenusMicrotus
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
A female California Vole can have up to 10 litters in a single year!
Their front teeth grow constantly, so they must chew often to wear them down!
They communicate using tiny squeaks and scent marks to talk to each other.
Voles create vast underground networks of tunnels and surface runways.
Special abilities
Ability
Runway Architect
California Vole can create intricate tunnels and surface runways because of its strong claws that help it navigate safely.
Ability
Rapid Reproducer
California Vole has a very short gestation period of just 3 weeks that helps them quickly grow their population.
Ability
Tough Chewer
California Vole can chew tough plant stems and roots because of its continuously growing teeth that helps them access food.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 10-18 cm
- Weight
- 0.02-0.08 kg
- Lifespan
- 1-2 years
- Top Speed
- 15 km/h
- Litter Size
- 3-7
- Gestation
- 20-23 days
Diet & Feeding
Tiny plant-eaters munching on grasses and seeds, keeping the ecosystem balanced.
Primary Foods
- Grasses
- Sedges
- Clover
- Seeds
- Roots
- Bulbs
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
A key food source for these silent night hunters.
eaten by
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
Prey for this widespread raptor in open fields.
eaten by
Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
Snakes hunt voles in their grassy runways.
eaten by
Coyote
Canis latrans
Provides sustenance for omnivorous canids.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Burrowing
Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
If you see a vole, watch quietly from a distance. They are shy and like to hide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is California Vole?
10-18 cm
How much does California Vole weigh?
0.02-0.08 kg
How long does California Vole live?
1-2 years
How fast can California Vole move?
15 km/h
What does California Vole eat?
Tiny plant-eaters munching on grasses and seeds, keeping the ecosystem balanced.
Where is California Vole usually found?
Grasslands
How does California Vole hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does California Vole usually have?
3-7
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