Facts about Meadow Voles

1. 07

   Meadow voles produce a distinctive musky odor from scent glands used to mark territories and communicate reproductive status with other voles in their local area.

   Meadow VolesMay 14sharebehaviorbiologysenses
2. 06

   During winter, meadow voles remain active beneath snow cover, creating subnivean runways where they forage on vegetation and roots without entering torpor or hibernation like many other small mammals.

   Meadow VolesMay 14sharebehaviorseasonaladaptation
3. 05

   A meadow vole's home range typically covers only 0.25 to 0.5 acres, making them among the most sedentary rodents in North America.

   Meadow VolesMay 14sharebehaviormeasurementecology
4. 04

   Microtus pennsylvanicus males contribute to raising offspring by huddling with pups and regulating their body temperature during the critical first weeks after birth.

   Meadow VolesMay 14sharebehaviorreproductionbiology
5. 03

   Meadow voles construct elaborate tunnel systems up to 300 meters long beneath snow and soil, creating highways for winter foraging and predator avoidance.

   Meadow VolesMay 14sharebehaviorhabitatadaptation
6. 02

   The vole's teeth grow continuously throughout its life, requiring constant gnawing to maintain proper length and prevent overgrowth.

   Meadow VolesMay 14sharebiologyanatomy
7. 01

   Populations of meadow voles can increase 100-fold during peak years due to their short 42-day gestation period and ability to produce up to 12 litters annually.

   Meadow VolesMay 13sharebiologyreproductionmeasurement