Voles are present in Texas, making them a common sight in various outdoor environments. These small rodents are often mistaken for mice due to their similar size and general appearance. However, voles possess distinct characteristics and behaviors that set them apart from other small mammals. Understanding these differences can help identify their presence.
Vole Species Found in Texas
Texas is home to several species of voles, each adapted to specific regions and habitats. The Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) is found throughout Texas and is often encountered in grassy areas. This species is known for its wide distribution across North America.
The Woodland Vole (Microtus pinetorum), also known as the Pine Vole, inhabits the eastern and central parts of Texas, extending westward to areas like Callahan, Kerr, and Gillespie counties. While widespread in the eastern United States, its presence in Texas is more scattered and localized, particularly in wooded areas with protective ground cover.
The Prairie Vole (Microtus ochrogaster) is known to exist in specific areas of Texas, including Hardin County in the southeastern part of the state and several counties in the northern Panhandle, such as Armstrong, Hansford, Lipscomb, and Lubbock. This species primarily lives in tall-grass prairies.
Spotting Voles and Their Activity
Identifying voles involves observing their physical characteristics and the signs of their activity. Voles are typically stockier than mice, with short legs and a very short, furry tail that is less than half the length of their body. They have small, rounded ears that are often hidden within their fur, and their snouts are blunt. Their fur color can range from brownish-black to grayish-brown. In contrast, mice usually have more slender bodies, longer tails, larger ears, and pointed noses.
The most apparent signs of vole presence are their distinctive runways, which are narrow, cleared paths about one to two inches wide that weave through grass and underbrush. Unlike moles, voles do not create raised ridges; their pathways are flat and visible, as they clip grass close to the ground to form these routes. These runways connect their burrows to food sources.
Small, clean, round holes, approximately 1.5 inches in diameter, can be found in lawns, often aligned with these surface runways, leading to their burrows. Other indicators include gnaw marks on the bark of trees and shrubs, particularly near the base, and damaged roots or bulbs. Vole droppings, which are small, granular, and dark brown pellets, may also be visible along runways or near feeding sites.
Understanding Vole Behavior and Environment
Voles are primarily herbivorous, with their diet consisting mainly of grasses, seeds, roots, stems, and leaves. They may also consume bark, especially during winter, and occasionally eat fungi or insects. They are active throughout the year and do not hibernate, meaning they can cause damage at any season.
Voles typically live in complex burrow systems, often spending a significant amount of time underground where they nest, seek protection, and forage for food. Their burrows are usually shallow, often just a few centimeters beneath the surface, and may include storage chambers for food. Voles prefer environments with dense ground cover, such as grasslands, meadows, fields, and wooded areas, which offer protection from predators. They construct nests of dry grass and leaves within their burrows or under logs.
Vole social structures can vary; some species are monogamous, forming pair bonds, while others may be more communal. Vole populations can grow rapidly due to their high reproductive rates, with females capable of producing multiple litters annually. Their presence contributes to the ecosystem by aerating soil and serving as a food source for various predators like owls, hawks, and foxes.