Eastern Meadow Vole
ExploreMammals
Eastern Meadow Vole
Microtus pennsylvanicus
The Eastern Meadow Vole is a small, furry animal that loves to live in grassy fields. They are very good at hiding and can be found scurrying around in the grass.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Eastern Meadow Vole has a stocky body with dense, soft fur that is typically dark brown or grayish-brown on top, fading to lighter gray on its belly. It also has small, barely visible ears, tiny black eyes, and a short, scaly tail, distinguishing it from longer-tailed mice.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderRodentiaFamilyCricetidaeGenusMicrotus
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
A single vole can eat its body weight in plants every single day!
Eastern Meadow Voles don't hibernate; they stay active even under winter snow!
They can hear sounds humans can't, helping them detect predators nearby!
Voles create "runways" through grass, like secret highways, to travel safely!
Special abilities
Ability
Tunnel Master
Eastern Meadow Voles can dig extensive underground tunnels because they have strong claws that help them create safe havens.
Ability
Grassland Grazers
Eastern Meadow Voles can thrive on tough plant material because their ever-growing teeth help them continuously grind down fibrous foods.
Ability
Rapid Reproducers
Eastern Meadow Voles can have many litters each year that helps their populations rebound quickly.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 12-20 cm
- Weight
- 0.02-0.07 kg
- Lifespan
- 1-2 years
- Top Speed
- 8 km/h
- Litter Size
- 1-11
- Gestation
- 20-23 days
Diet & Feeding
These small rodents munch mainly on grasses and other green plants!
Primary Foods
- grasses
- sedges
- clovers
- roots
- seeds
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
Hawks frequently hunt voles in open fields.
eaten by
Coyote
Canis latrans
Coyotes often prey on these small rodents.
eaten by
Long-tailed Weasel
Mustela frenata
Weasels are agile hunters that target voles.
eats
Timothy Grass
Phleum pratense
Voles heavily graze on common meadow grasses.
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.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
If you see a vole, watch quietly from a distance and don't try to touch it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Eastern Meadow Vole?
12-20 cm
How much does Eastern Meadow Vole weigh?
0.02-0.07 kg
How long does Eastern Meadow Vole live?
1-2 years
How fast can Eastern Meadow Vole move?
8 km/h
What does Eastern Meadow Vole eat?
These small rodents munch mainly on grasses and other green plants!
Where is Eastern Meadow Vole usually found?
Grasslands
How does Eastern Meadow Vole hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Eastern Meadow Vole usually have?
1-11
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