Voles and mice are often mistaken for each other due to their small, furry appearance and frequent presence near human environments. Despite superficial similarities, they belong to different subfamilies and have distinct physical and behavioral characteristics. Understanding these differences aids in identification.
Physical Characteristics That Set Them Apart
Voles typically have a more stout and compact body shape compared to the slender build of mice. A common house mouse measures about 6.5 to 9.5 cm (2.5 to 3.7 inches) in body length, with its tail often adding another 6 to 10.5 cm (2.4 to 4.1 inches). In contrast, a meadow vole ranges from 14 to 19.5 cm (5.5 to 7.7 inches) in total length, including its shorter tail, and weighs between 33 and 65 grams (1.2 to 2.3 ounces). While overall length can be similar, voles often appear rounder and heavier, sometimes weighing twice as much as a house mouse.
A notable distinguishing feature is the tail. Mice possess long, thin, largely hairless tails that can be as long as or even longer than their body. Vole tails, however, are significantly shorter, typically 2.5 to 6.4 cm (1 to 2.5 inches), and are often furrier. Mice generally have larger, more prominent ears and eyes that are not hidden by fur. Voles, in contrast, have smaller ears often partially hidden by dense fur, and their eyes are less prominent. Mice tend to have a more pointed snout, while voles have a blunter, more rounded nose.
Where They Live and How They Behave
Voles and mice also differ in their preferred habitats and behaviors. Voles are primarily herbivores, eating mainly grasses, plant stems, roots, bulbs, and seeds; in winter, they may also gnaw on tree bark. They prefer outdoor environments with dense ground cover, such as grassy fields, meadows, and gardens, where they create extensive networks of shallow tunnels and surface runways. These visible runways, about 2.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2 inches) wide, are a common sign of vole activity, helping them travel and forage while protected from predators. Voles are active year-round and do not hibernate, continuing to forage and create tunnels even under snow.
Mice, especially house mice, are highly adaptable omnivores that can thrive both indoors and outdoors. Their diet is varied, including grains, seeds, fruits, and insects, and they readily consume human food. While wild mice may construct burrows in fields or forests, house mice are frequently found inside structures like homes, barns, and warehouses, seeking shelter, warmth, and food. They can squeeze through small openings and build nests from shredded materials in undisturbed, hidden areas like wall voids or attics. Mice are predominantly nocturnal, though some may be active during the day in human-occupied spaces.