Survey Period: From first week of April to fourth week of October, About the Natural Community Classification. Voles (Microtus spp. Measuring and Monitoring Biological Diversity - Standard Methods for Mammals. Two common species of voles in North America are the prairie vole and the meadow vole. Meadow voles are more widely distributed, but prairie voles are more common in prairie areas. Species Microtus schelkovnikovi Schelkovnikov's pine vole. The number of litters and the number of young per litter vary among species. Voles are stocky rodents, built like field mice. Southern Red-backed Vole. However, stream and pond banks, orchards, pastures, hay fields, and fence rows also provide suitable habitat for meadow and woodland voles. In many cases, the general habitat descriptions should provide greater clarity and direction to the surveyor. Meadow voles, the most common voles in Pennsylvania, are herbivores and eat a variety of grasses, seeds, and roots. The average life expectancy for voles is between 3 and 12 months. Man-made dwellings such as orchards, cultivated fields and windbreaks are favored. During the winter months voles do not hibernate, but instead make tunnels beneath the snow, in which they gnaw on shrubs and tree bark for nutrition. California voles (M. californicus) were observed producing 9–11 litters in a single year, breeding for 11–12 months. In the winter, they are active in runways under the snow. This vole displays a white, gray and silver on the ventral part of its body and a dark brown or black along it’s dorsal. There are four species of native vole in the UK. Meadow Vole. Species Microtus duodecimcostatus Mediterranean pine vole. Meadow vole, (Microtus pennsylvanicus), one of the most common and prolific small mammals in North America. Female pups are sexually mature as young as 13 days. Answer. An invasive species is one that is not native and whose introduction causes harm, or is likely to cause harm to Michigan's economy, environment, or human health. This vole species in Michigan is the only one that doesn't seem to have a "peak and crash" population cycle. Vole, any of numerous species of small-bodied mouselike rodents of the Northern Hemisphere that are classified, along with lemmings, in the subfamily Arvicolinae of the family Cricetidae. Accumulated vole damage is apparent when vole populations are high. It eats a variety of plant species and parts, especially grasses, sedges, grain and berries. They prefer a thick ground cover of herbaceous vegetation. Woodland voles are also common throughout the area, and they prefer to live in forests with copious amounts of leaf litter on the ground. The vole is a compact rodent with a … Creating subterranean barriers or
Their paws are pink with small black legs. Malaria has since been virtually eliminated here in Michigan, but the threat of mosquito-borne disease is still very real. They have short tails, small ears and eyes, a large head, a somewhat blunt, rounded snout, and chisel-shaped teeth. They breed continuously throughout the year and can have 1 to 5 litters per year, with each
Cole, J.D. Call your local Critter Control office for all of your nuisance wildlife management needs. Vole litters are usually between three and eight pups. The bill is small and triangular. Altering the vole habitat includes soil cultivation, close mowing of lawn, clearing vegetation, and reducing layers of mulch to 1-3 inches in flowerbeds. You can also plant flowers that naturally repel voles (such as daffodil and crown imperial). Vole, any of numerous species of small-bodied mouselike rodents of the Northern Hemisphere that are classified, along with lemmings, in the subfamily Arvicolinae of the family Cricetidae. Females can have five to ten litters per year. Voles occupy areas with heavy ground cover, grasses, grass-like plants or litter. There is potential for confusion between the Woodland Vole and other short-tailed vole or lemming species. Read Vole management for Michigan crop producers in addition to hundreds of recent farming and agriculture news articles. These species will not be tested except by special arrangement with MDHHS at (517) 335-8165. Since voles are known to burrow, creating extensive tunnels visible on the ground's surface, they are unwelcome backyard guests. Summer is a great time to plan outdoor adventures… Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed. The world's largest mole is the Russian desman, a mere 8 inches long, while the largest vole reaches just over 9 inches. Collection Date 1926-06-26 … Voles… Habitat: Meadow voles, as their name implies, prefer fields and meadow-like bottomlands, but adapt well to suburban woodlots, gardens, and ornamental plantings as well as orchards. Voles eat a wide variety of plants, most frequently grasses and forbs. Breeding from first week of February to first week of November. In Michigan, wolves eat deer, beaver, rodents and other small mammals, but also snack on insects, nuts, berries and grasses. A mating pair can birth a hundred more voles in a year. Some species of moles have a cone-shaped nose. Since vole populations can increase rapidly, damage can appear to come on suddenly. The meadow vole is most often found in extensive grassy or weedy areas such as old fields and moist hillsides with heavy ground cover.