Family: Muridae, Mice and Rats view all from this family
Description Rust-reddish above; sides buff or grayish; gray to buff-white below. Tail short, slender, slightly bicolored. Gray phase sometimes occurs in Northeast. L 4 3/4–6 1/4" (120–158 mm); T 1 1/8–2" (30–50 mm); HF 5/8– 7/8" (16–21 mm); Wt 1/2–1 1/2 oz (16–42 g).
Similar Species Northern Red-backed Vole is brighter, with buffy or yellowish sides; tail is thicker, with thicker, more bristly fur. Western Red-backed Vole has indistinct reddish stripe on back. Meadow voles lack rust-reddish coloration. Red Tree Vole is arboreal and has very long tail for a vole. Woodland Vole can be distinguished from gray phase by softer, mole-like fur and much shorter tail.
Breeding Sexually mature at 2–4 months; breeds late winter to late fall; several litters per year of 2–8 young, with larger litters at higher elevations and latitudes; gestation 17–19 days.
Habitat Cool, damp forests; bogs and swamps.
Range Southern tier of Canadian provinces south into Oregon, through entire Rocky Mountain system to Arizona and New Mexico; east to North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, upper half of s peninsular Michigan, New England south to Maryland, and Allegheny Mountain system to North Carolina.
Discussion Southern Red-backed Voles usually hop, but often run. They use natural runways along rocks and logs, and are often seen running or hopping across a bed of moss or up an old tree stump. The home range is larger when the ground is covered with snow than when there is no snow. This species eats green herbaceous plants, such as false lily of the valley and goldthread, as well as bunchberry and various other ripe berries. Underground fungi comprise an important part of the diet, especially in fall. Individuals store bulbs, stems, tubers, and nuts for later use. The Southern Red-backed Vole uses the burrows of other animals when these are available, and does not construct elaborate burrow systems like those of the meadow voles. Male, female, and young may stay together in the nest, but the male usually moves out as the young get older. This species has population highs in late summer and fall, then decreases in number during winter. Maximum longevity is about 20 months, but most individuals do not live more than 10 to 12 months, and few survive two winters. Broad-winged hawks and Short-tailed Weasels are common predators, while Coyotes and Gray Wolves occasionally prey on this species. The gray phase that sometimes occurs in the Northeast can easily be mistaken for a vole of the genus Microtus.
