Family: Muridae, Mice and Rats view all from this family

Description Pale gray above; whitish to silvery or buff below and on feet. Bicolored, well-furred tail usually less than 1" (25 mm) long. Ears and nose buff. Back parts of soles of feet densely haired. L 4–5 5/8" (103–142 mm); T 5/8–1 1/8" (16–30 mm); HF 1/2– 3/4" (14–18 mm); Wt 5/8–1 3/8 oz (17–38 g).

Similar Species Other voles are larger, darker-colored, with longer tails, and are rarely found in Sagebrush Vole’s habitat.

Breeding Breeds year-round in South, but shorter season in North; several litters of 1–13 young; gestation 25 days.

Habitat Semi-arid prairies; sagebrush and bunchgrass usually dominant.

Range Central Washington, s Alberta, and sw Manitoba south through e Oregon to Nevada, Utah, and ne Colorado.

Discussion The Sagebrush Vole is active throughout the day year-round, but exhibits greatest activity three hours before and three hours after dusk. This vole feeds on grasses and many other species of green plants in summer (usually not on the heads), and on bark and twigs of sage and various roots in winter. Bromegrass appears to be its mainstay in Oregon. This animal does not store food. Burrows are relatively short, often less than 2 feet (60 cm) long, and usually less than 12 inches (30 cm) deep, with a nest chamber 7 to 10 inches (18–25 cm) in diameter. The nest is constructed of shredded sagebrush bark lined with grass. Burrows in winter are usually under the snow. Runways may be 2 1/2–3 inches (60–80 mm) wide. Sagebrush Voles are thought to dwell in colonies because their burrow entrances occur in clusters, generally of 8 to 30. Colonies vary greatly in size and density from year to year. This animal’s main predators are owls, Long-tailed Weasels, and Bobcats, but a rattlesnake and a shrike have also been recorded.