Microtus ochrogaster (Wagner, 1842)

Prairie vole

Species recognized by The Integrated Taxonomic Information System external link, T Orrell (custodian) in 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC) external link Showing: scientific names

Media Center Navigation

Classification : Text | Graphic |
  

Table of Contents

General Description

Description

Source and Additional Information
Supplier
Smithsonian's North American Mammals external link
Copyright
Some rights reserved external link
Project
Smithsonian Institution - North American Mammals external link
Location
Source URL
View original data object external link
Citation

The Prairie Vole builds well-defined runways on and below ground. Surface runways are often well worn and bare of vegetation; sometimes they are covered with a layer of grass clippings. The abundance of these runways is a good index of the size of the Vole's local population. Unlike most voles, and in fact, most mammals, Prairie Voles appear to be monogamous: male-female breeding pairs stay together. Offspring are born hairless yet develop rapidly, acquiring a brown furry coat by day two, crawling three days later, and eating solid food by day 12. They are weaned at 2-3 weeks, and fully grown by two months.

Links:
Mammal Species of the World
Click here for The American Society of Mammalogists species account
References
  • In Schreber, J.C.D., 1842.  Die saugthiere in abbildungen nach der natur mit beschreibunger von&Schreber&Fortgesetzt von dr. Johann Andreas Wagner&Supplementband 3. abth. Erlangen, Expedition des Schreberschen saugthier und des Esperschen schmetterlingswerkes. 1840-44 (supplements 1-4) p. 592.
"Microtus ochrogaster (Wagner, 1842)". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/310271". Accessed 19 Mar 2010.