Tundra vole
Tundra vole in Alaska
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Cricetidae
Subfamily: Arvicolinae
Genus: Alexandromys
Species:
A. oeconomus
Binomial name
Alexandromys oeconomus
(Pallas, 1776)
Synonyms[1]
  • Microtus oeconomus (Pallas, 1776)
  • Mus oeconomus Pallas, 1776

The tundra vole (Alexandromys oeconomus) or root vole is a medium-sized vole found in Northern and Central Europe, Asia, and northwestern North America, including Alaska and northwestern Canada.[2] In the western part of the Netherlands, the tundra vole is a relict from the ice age and has developed into the subspecies Alexandromys oeconomus arenicola.

Description

The tundra vole has short ears and a short tail. Its fur is yellowish brown with paler sides and white underparts. It is typically about 18 cm (7.1 in) long with a 4 cm (1.6 in) tail and a weight of about 50 grams (1.8 oz).

Habitat

The tundra vole is found in damp tundra or moist meadows, usually near water.

Behaviour and diet

This species makes runways through the surface growth in warm weather and tunnels through the snow in winter. It feeds on grasses, sedges and seeds. It is active year-round. It also digs burrows where it stores seeds and roots, especially licorice root, for the winter.

Breeding

Female voles have three to six litters of three to nine young in a shallow burrow. The vole population in a given area can vary greatly from year to year.

Subspecies

Subspecies are as follows:[3]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Microtus oeconomus.
  1. ^ a b Linzey, A.V.; Shar, S.; Lkhagvasuren, D.; Juškaitis, R.; Sheftel, B.; Meinig, H.; Amori, G. & Henttonen, H. (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. "Microtus oeconomus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T13451A115113894. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T13451A22347188.en. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  2. ^ "Alexandromys oeconomus". ASM Mammal Diversity Database. American Society of Mammalogists.
  3. ^ Witte van den Bosch, R. and Bekker, D. (2009). Verdwijnt de oer-Hollandse lemming? Geschiedenis en toekomst van de noordse woelmuis. Zoogdier 20-4: p.p 3-7. (in Dutch)
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