The short-tailed field vole, aka short-tailed vole or field vole, is among the most common mammals found in Europe. They’re also found in Asia. Being widespread has its drawbacks though. They face the threats of both habitat loss and fragmentation at the hands of agricultural intensification, urban development, and the removal of hedgerows which significantly reduces their available living spaces. Intensive livestock overgrazing and high populations of wild herbivores such as rabbits drastically reduces the tall grass cover that these voles need for food and protection from predators. Within agricultural and forestry contexts, voles can sometimes be viewed as pests due to the potential for crop damage or the stripping of bark from young trees. This leads to the use of chemical rodenticides, which can result in direct poisoning and/or secondary poisoning of the predators that eat them. However, as is the case with other voles, they are widespread and abundant. Therefore they are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Their population trend is listed as stable.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Microtus agrestis
Weight: Up to 1.76 ounces
Length: Up to 5.1 inches, plus up to a 1.8 inch tail
Lifespan: Up to 1.5 years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) Their calls are both a faint, low squeak as well as a variety of chattering sounds.
2.) The preferred habitats are open, moist, and grassy biomes with thick ground cover, like rough, ungrazed grasslands, damp meadows, and marsh edges.
3.) They can be found at elevations of up to 5,600 feet.
4.) These voles are more diurnal (active during the day) than most others.
5.) Shallow burrows close to the surface of the ground are constructed. They also hide under leaf litter and under the snow in winter. They make surface runs, as well, through the tall vegetation, with routes that they can use to scurry back to safety if danger looms.
But wait, there’s more on the short-tailed field vole!
6.) Dedicated defecation sites are also present along their paths.
7.) Grasses, herbs, root tubers, moss, other vegetation, and bark are all consumed. Bark is mainly eaten in the winter months. Insect grubs are also often feasted upon.
Did you know…?
Due to having low energy reserves these critters are only able to sustain themselves for 5 – 14 hours between meals. Beyond that, they face starvation.
8.) Like other voles, they do not hibernate in the winter.
9.) Stoats, weasels, red foxes, cats, dogs, kestrels, buzzards, hawks, and barn owls all prey on these critters.
10.) Females undergo up to a 27 day gestation (pregnancy) that yields up to 7 pups.
But wait, there’s still more on the short-tailed field vole!
11.) Pups are weaned and leave the nest in just 21 days.
12.) Nest mortality is about 20% but can rise to 50% in the middle of summer when the digestibility of the food supplies drop.
13.) A female can conceivably produce up to 7 litters in a year’s time!
Now a Short Short-Tailed Field Vole Video!
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Some source material acquired from: Wikipedia & IUCN
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