Field vole

Field vole

©Philip Precey

Field vole

Enw gwyddonol: Microtus agrestis
With a population of 75 million, the field vole is one of the UK's most common mammals. Hidden among the vegetation of grassland, heathland and moorland, it is not as easily spotted as the similar bank vole.

Species information

Ystadegau

Length: 8-13cm
Tail: 3-4cm
Weight: 20-50g
Average lifespan: 1 year

Statws cadwraethol

Common.

Pryd i'w gweld

January to December

Ynghylch

The field vole (also known as the short-tailed vole) is very common in grassland, heathland and moorland habitats. It is active day and night and eats seeds, roots and leaves. Further up the food chain, it forms an extremely important part of the diet of many predators, such as kestrels, weasels and barn owls. Field voles are not great climbers, preferring to move along the ground through a network of well-used runs that lead to their burrows. They can produce three to six litters of up to seven young a year, and undergo population booms every few years. These increases don't last long, however, as they have short lifespans and fall prey to other animals.

Sut i'w hadnabod

The field vole is grey-brown above, and pale grey below. It has shaggier fur than the similar bank vole and a proportionally shorter tail (less than 30% of its body length). Voles have blunter, rounder faces, smaller ears and eyes, and shorter tails than mice.

Dosbarthiad

Widespread, but absent from most of the Channel Islands, the Isles of Scilly, most Scottish islands, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man.

Roeddech chi yn gwybod?

During the breeding season, male field voles produce a musky and unpleasant smell. They will defend their territories fiercely, squeaking loudly and fighting, often to the death.