The bank vole is a small species of vole that can be found throughout Europe, western Asia, and the Middle East. These voles have been accidentally released into Ireland as well. They face the threats of habitat loss and destruction in the form of deciduous forests being replaced by coniferous forests, which provide less protection and cover. Poisoning is another threat, as individuals living near farmlands or in high-traffic locales can be negatively affected by pesticides, rodenticides, molluscicides, and also lead toxicity. Pathogens, viruses, diseases, and parasites also plague these rodents. Since they are highly adapted to cool and humid climates, bank voles face reduced population numbers due to extreme rain, rising temperatures, and prolonged droughts, primarily in the Mediterranean, due to climate change. However, after all this, they are still abundant enough to be listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Their population trend is listed as stable.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Clethrionomys glareolus
Weight: Up to 1.4 ounces
Length: Up to 4.75 inches, plus up to a 3 inch tail
Lifespan: Up to 4.9 years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) They are capable of producing growling sounds and can make low-pitched squeaks. In the event of distress and isolation they have been documented emitting a call that sounds like that of a human sobbing.
2.) These critters take to a variety of habitats such as deciduous and mixed woodlands with scrub brushes, low plants, and leaf litter. They also dwell amongst hedgerows, among bracken and brambles, field verges, river banks, swamps, and parks.
3.) The bank vole is cathemeral (active both day and night).
4.) Being fossorial (spend part or most of their lives underground), these critters can construct long burrows under leaf litter that contain multiple entrances/exits.
5.) Some regions might be devoid of voles altogether during the winter, only to be repopulated again during the summer; only to become empty of voles once again in October.
But wait, there’s more on the bank vole!
6.) Bark, buds, fruits, grains, grasses, leaves, nuts, roots, and seeds are all happily feasted upon.
7.) Sometimes insects, spiders, worms, and eggs from ground nesting birds are also taken.
Did you know…?
Being a skilled climber, these voles will sometimes feast on the bark of trees several feet above the ground.
8.) Females undergo up to a 21+ day gestation that can yield up to 10 pups.
9.) These creatures serve as a reservoir of infection for the Puumala virus, causing a haemorrhagic fever known as nephropathia epidemica which, in rare cases, can even result in death. This virus is zoonotic and thus can spread to humans as well.
10.) Voles are used in the study of prion diseases as they are susceptible to prions from many species.
Now a Short Bank Vole Video!
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Some source material acquired from: Wikipedia & IUCN
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