Western Heather Vole
Encyclopedia
The Western Heather Vole, Phenacomys intermedius, is a small vole
found in western North America
. Until recently, the Eastern Heather Vole
, Phenacomys ungava, was considered to be a subspecies.
These animals are similar in appearance to the Meadow Vole
. They have short ears and a short thin tail which is paler underneath. Their long soft fur is brownish with silver grey underparts. They are 14 cm long with a 3.5 cm tail and weigh about 40 g.
They are found in alpine meadow
s, open shrubby areas, dry forests with shrubs below to provide cover and tundra
regions, usually near water, in British Columbia
, the Yukon
and the western United States
. In summer, they live in underground burrows and, in winter, they tunnel under the snow. They store food for later use year-round.
They feed on plant leaves and berries in summer and plant bark and buds in winter, also seeds and fungi
. Predators include owl
s, hawk
s and carnivorous
mammals.
The female vole has 2 or 3 litters of 2 to 9 young in a nest made from grasses.
They are active year-round, and are crepuscular
.
The population of this animal has been reduced in some parts of its range due to clearcutting of forests.
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...
found in western North America
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...
. Until recently, the Eastern Heather Vole
Eastern Heather Vole
The Eastern Heather Vole, Phenacomys ungava, is a small North American vole. Until recently, this species was considered to belong to the same species as the Western Heather Vole, Phenacomys intermedius. It is also called the Ungava Vole....
, Phenacomys ungava, was considered to be a subspecies.
These animals are similar in appearance to the Meadow Vole
Meadow Vole
The Meadow Vole , sometimes called the Field Mouse or Meadow Mouse, is a North American vole found across Canada, Alaska and the northern United States. Its range extends further south along the Atlantic coast. One subspecies, the Florida Salt Marsh Vole , is found in Florida, and is classified as...
. They have short ears and a short thin tail which is paler underneath. Their long soft fur is brownish with silver grey underparts. They are 14 cm long with a 3.5 cm tail and weigh about 40 g.
They are found in alpine meadow
Alpine tundra
Alpine tundra is a natural region that does not contain trees because it is at high altitude. Alpine tundra is distinguished from arctic tundra, because alpine soils are generally better drained than arctic soils...
s, open shrubby areas, dry forests with shrubs below to provide cover and tundra
Tundra
In physical geography, tundra is a biome where the tree growth is hindered by low temperatures and short growing seasons. The term tundra comes through Russian тундра from the Kildin Sami word tūndâr "uplands," "treeless mountain tract." There are three types of tundra: Arctic tundra, alpine...
regions, usually near water, in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, the Yukon
Yukon
Yukon is the westernmost and smallest of Canada's three federal territories. It was named after the Yukon River. The word Yukon means "Great River" in Gwich’in....
and the western United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In summer, they live in underground burrows and, in winter, they tunnel under the snow. They store food for later use year-round.
They feed on plant leaves and berries in summer and plant bark and buds in winter, also seeds and fungi
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
. Predators include owl
Owl
Owls are a group of birds that belong to the order Strigiformes, constituting 200 bird of prey species. Most are solitary and nocturnal, with some exceptions . Owls hunt mostly small mammals, insects, and other birds, although a few species specialize in hunting fish...
s, hawk
Hawk
The term hawk can be used in several ways:* In strict usage in Australia and Africa, to mean any of the species in the subfamily Accipitrinae, which comprises the genera Accipiter, Micronisus, Melierax, Urotriorchis and Megatriorchis. The large and widespread Accipiter genus includes goshawks,...
s and carnivorous
Carnivore
A carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of animal tissue, whether through predation or scavenging...
mammals.
The female vole has 2 or 3 litters of 2 to 9 young in a nest made from grasses.
They are active year-round, and are crepuscular
Crepuscular
Crepuscular animals are those that are active primarily during twilight, that is during dawn and dusk. The word is derived from the Latin word crepusculum, meaning "twilight." Crepuscular is, thus, in contrast with diurnal and nocturnal behavior. Crepuscular animals may also be active on a bright...
.
The population of this animal has been reduced in some parts of its range due to clearcutting of forests.