Voles are small rodents often mistaken for mice, but they possess distinct physical characteristics, particularly regarding their tails. Understanding these differences is helpful for accurate identification of these common garden and field inhabitants.
The Vole’s Distinctive Tail and Build
Voles are characterized by their short tails, a primary distinguishing feature. Unlike mice, a vole’s tail is much shorter than its body length, often less than one-third of its total body size. For instance, a meadow vole, which can be 6 to 8 inches long, has a tail that is only 1 to 2.4 inches. This short, often sparsely haired, tail gives them a compact appearance.
Beyond their tail, voles have a stocky, robust build, contrasting with the more slender bodies of mice. Their heads are relatively large and rounded, featuring a blunt snout. Their eyes and ears are small, often partially hidden by their dense fur, which can range from brown to gray.
Telling Voles Apart from Mice and Shrews
Distinguishing voles from other small mammals like mice and shrews comes down to several features, with tail length being one of the most reliable indicators. Mice, such as house mice or deer mice, possess long, thin tails that are as long as or even longer than their head and body combined. In contrast, voles have significantly shorter tails.
Shrews, on the other hand, are not rodents and have very short tails, often appearing almost absent, and a distinctly pointed, elongated snout. While shrews also have small eyes and ears, their pointed nose sets them apart from the vole’s blunt snout. Voles have a stockier body compared to the more slender build of mice and the small, often velvety-furred body of shrews.
Where Voles Live and What They Eat
Voles inhabit a wide range of environments across the Northern Hemisphere, including North America, Europe, and Asia. They prefer areas with dense ground cover, such as grassy fields, meadows, shrublands, and orchards, as this vegetation provides both food and protection. Some species, like pine voles, favor heavy ground cover in forests and abandoned fields, while others, such as meadow voles, thrive in wet meadows. They are found in areas modified by human activity, particularly agricultural fields.
The diet of voles consists primarily of plant matter, making them herbivorous. They consume a variety of grasses, herbaceous plants, roots, bulbs, and seeds. Voles gnaw on the bark of trees and shrubs, especially during fall and winter when other food sources are scarce. They also store seeds and plant material in underground chambers to sustain themselves. While their diet is largely vegetarian, some species may occasionally consume insects or other invertebrates.