Water Vole (North America)
Encyclopedia
The Water Vole, Microtus richardsoni, is the largest North America
n vole
. It is found in the northwestern United States
and southern parts of western Canada
. This animal has been historically considered a member of genus Arvicola
, but molecular
evidence demonstrates that it is more closely related to North American Microtus species.
These animals have gray-brown or red-brown fur with gray underparts. Their large hind feet help make them excellent swimmers. They are 25 centimetres (10 in) long, with an 8 centimetres (3 in) tail
, and weigh about 110 grams (3.9 oz).
They are found in alpine or semi-alpine meadows near water. They feed on grasses, leaves, roots and seeds, also eating small invertebrate
s. They dig burrows that are connected to water sources. They live under the snow during the winter.
The water vole is also the fastest swimming land rodent
Female voles have two litters of two to eight young in a year.
They are active year-round. Their burrows often have entrances at the water's edge or under water. They are often found in colonies.
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n vole
Vole
A vole is a small rodent resembling a mouse but with a stouter body, a shorter hairy tail, a slightly rounder head, smaller ears and eyes, and differently formed molars . There are approximately 155 species of voles. They are sometimes known as meadow mice or field mice in North America...
. It is found in the northwestern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and southern parts of western Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. This animal has been historically considered a member of genus Arvicola
Arvicola
The water voles are large voles in the genus Arvicola. They are found in both aquatic and dry habitat through Europe and much of northern Asia...
, but molecular
Molecular phylogeny
Molecular phylogenetics is the analysis of hereditary molecular differences, mainly in DNA sequences, to gain information on an organism's evolutionary relationships. The result of a molecular phylogenetic analysis is expressed in a phylogenetic tree...
evidence demonstrates that it is more closely related to North American Microtus species.
These animals have gray-brown or red-brown fur with gray underparts. Their large hind feet help make them excellent swimmers. They are 25 centimetres (10 in) long, with an 8 centimetres (3 in) tail
Tail
The tail is the section at the rear end of an animal's body; in general, the term refers to a distinct, flexible appendage to the torso. It is the part of the body that corresponds roughly to the sacrum and coccyx in mammals, reptiles, and birds...
, and weigh about 110 grams (3.9 oz).
They are found in alpine or semi-alpine meadows near water. They feed on grasses, leaves, roots and seeds, also eating small invertebrate
Invertebrate
An invertebrate is an animal without a backbone. The group includes 97% of all animal species – all animals except those in the chordate subphylum Vertebrata .Invertebrates form a paraphyletic group...
s. They dig burrows that are connected to water sources. They live under the snow during the winter.
The water vole is also the fastest swimming land rodent
Female voles have two litters of two to eight young in a year.
They are active year-round. Their burrows often have entrances at the water's edge or under water. They are often found in colonies.