prairie vole

Prairies, fields, thickets, railroads. Dry areas.

Less than one year

The head and body are 3½″ to 5″ long. The coloration does not change in the winter. The coat (pelage) is grayish-brown to dark brown with black-tipped and tawny-tipped hairs, giving it a grizzled appearance. The back is somewhat darker than the sides. The underside is yellowish. The legs and feet are yellowish brown.

The tail is 1″ to 1¾″ long and bicolored.

Meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) pelage does not have a grizzled appearance. The belly is not yellowish. The tail is longer, 12 ⁄5″ to 23 ⁄5″ long. Where the ranges overlap meadow vole will be in wetter areas.

Diet consists mostly of grasses, tubers, roots, seeds, and when available, insects. In the winter they sometimes eat the bark of woody shrubs.

Prairie voles are reproductively monogamous but not sexually monogamous. They form pair bonds that last a lifetime, but will mate with other voles if the opportunity arises. Breeding takes place year-round but mostly in the spring and fall. Two to four litters are produced each year. There are usually 3 or 4 offspring per litter though there may be as few as 2 or as many as 7. Gestation lasts 20 to 23 days. The offspring reach sexual maturity at 5 to 6 weeks. Adults usually live less than one year but may live up to two years.

Adults are active mostly during twilight.

Sources: 6, 7, 15, 29.

Prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster ochrogaster) is found in southeastern Minnesota.

Least meadow mouse (Microtus ochrogaster minor) is found in the remainder of the state except the northeast.