Field Vole ‘Microtus Agrestis’

Statistics

• Length: 9-13cm
• Tail: 2.5-5cm
• Weight: 18-60g
• Lifespan: up to 1 ½ years

Brief

Field Voles use shredded grass and leaves to make their nests which are often found in open grasslands, heathland and moorland and are mostly uncommon in gardens. They are herbivorous feeding on grass, plants and fruits. Unlike the common house mouse field voles are equally as active during the day time as they are at night.

Identification

Field Voles are small rodents similar in size to mice, but with a rounder head, smaller ears, eyes and tail. Field voles have a more rounded nose and less prominent eyes than the bank vole. Their fur is grey-brown in color with a pale grey underside. Their Droppings are 6-7mm long, odorless and cylindrical in shape often found in small piles along runs.

Breeding

Field Voles generally breed between March and December, producing up to six litters each with up to seven young. Field voles can reach sexual maturity within three weeks.

Location

The field vole is widespread throughout the UK (However, mostly absent from the Channel Islands, Isle of Scilly, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man)

Habitats

Field voles can often be found in towns, gardens, farmland, grassland, heathland, upland and woodland.

Bank Vole ‘Clethrionomys Glareolus’

Statistics

• Length: 9-11cm
• Tail: 3.5-7.5cm
• Weight: 15-40g
• Lifespan: up to 1 ½ years

Brief

Bank voles will often live in burrows hidden within dense vegetation. They are mostly herbivorous however will eat insects and other small invertebrates when opportunities present themselves. Unlike the common house mouse bank voles are equally as active during the day time as they are at night.

Identification

Bank voles are small rodents similar in size to mice, but with a rounder head, smaller ears, eyes and tail. They have a stout body covered in reddish-brown fur with white-grey flanks. Their tails have hair and are longer than the tails of field voles. Their Droppings are 6-7mm long, odorless, cylindrical in shape and black-drown in color.

Breeding

Bank Voles generally breed during the summer months, producing up to five litters each with up to seven young. Bank Voles can reach sexual maturity within six weeks.

Location

The bank vole is widespread throughout the UK (However, mostly absent from the Channel Islands, Isle of Scilly, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man)

Habitats

Bank voles can often be found in towns, farmland, grassland, heathland and woodland.