Voles are small, ground-dwelling rodents frequently mistaken for other small mammals encountered in yards, fields, and gardens. These creatures, sometimes referred to as meadow mice or field mice, belong to the genus Microtus and are found throughout North America. This guide clarifies the typical appearance of voles, focusing on their coloration and distinct physical attributes.
Typical Vole Coloration
Voles are not typically black, but instead display a range of earth-toned colors that help them blend into their grassy, dense habitats. The dorsal, or back, fur is generally a mix of grayish-brown, dark brown, or reddish-brown. This coloration often results from guard hairs tipped with black or yellow layered over a gray underfur, creating a grainy or “peppery” appearance.
Specific species, such as the meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus), can be gray to yellow-brown. The fur is characteristically dense, thick, and somewhat coarse. The ventral, or underside, is consistently lighter than the back, typically appearing gray, grayish-buff, or sometimes washed with silver or yellow. Pure black voles are extremely rare, and any individual appearing uniformly dark is likely a very dark shade of brown or a different species altogether. The dense coat often features a bicolored tail, dark on top and lighter underneath.
Physical Characteristics for Identification
Voles possess physical features that reliably set them apart from other small mammals. They have a compact, stocky body shape and short legs, giving them a chunky appearance. A defining feature is their tail, which is notably short, often being less than 40% of the combined head and body measurement.
The head is characterized by a rounded, blunt snout. Voles have very small, bead-like eyes and small, rounded ears that are partially hidden by the dense surrounding fur, making them inconspicuous.
Distinguishing Voles from Common Look-alikes
The question of whether voles are black likely stems from their frequent confusion with other species, particularly moles, which are often dark or black. Moles are easily differentiated by their highly specialized anatomy, including greatly enlarged, paddle-like front feet equipped with prominent claws for digging. Furthermore, moles have no visible external ears and eyes so small they are barely noticeable or completely hidden beneath the fur.
Voles are also commonly mistaken for true mice, such as house mice, but a comparison of tails provides a clear distinction. A mouse possesses a long, thin tail that is roughly the length of its body and head combined. In contrast, the vole’s short, furred tail is a fraction of its body length, offering a quick visual cue.
Shrews, another common small mammal, can be separated from voles by their head shape. Shrews have a long, extremely pointed snout and are generally smaller overall than voles. Unlike voles, which are herbivores, both moles and shrews are insectivores.