Where does the common vole live?
The common vole inhabits large areas of Eurasia. Apart from the Orkney vole, in Ireland and Britain it is replaced by the related field vole. It followed human civilisation: its primary habitats are everything but dense forests, such as meadows, heathlands and fallow land. Its secondary habitats are mainly agricultural fields, where shallow-sloped areas are preferred. It is a small European rodent that frequents open meadow habitats.
What does the common vole eat?
Its natural food is grass, but it also feeds on many agricultural crops, where its reproduction is faster than in primary habitats. Its populations fluctuate a great deal, from sporadic presence to high density, alternating between more or less cyclical outbreaks and low-density periods.
Is the common vole endangered?
No: the IUCN lists it as Least Concern. After a pregnancy of 16 to 24 days, females give birth to 3 to 8 juveniles, weighing between 1.0 and 3.1 g. Weights can reach 51 g in males and 42 g in non-pregnant females.
