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  Rodentia · Muridae · Lemmiscus curtatus
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Lemmiscus curtatus

Sagebrush Vole

Order: Rodentia
Family: Muridae

Image of Lemmiscus curtatus
Lemmiscus curtatus - ash and buff variants
Click to enlarge. (71 kb)

Sagebrush Voles usually live in colonies in semiarid, partly brushy habitat. The dominant plants where they live are sagebrush or rabbitbrush mixed with bunchgrass. A colony's network of burrows may have 8 to 30 entrances and interconnecting tunnels, which are often paved with grass or sage clippings. Sagebrush Voles eat a wide variety of fresh green vegetation. Unlike other rodents that live in dry habitats, they do not eat seeds or keep food stores. They are active year-round, at any time of day or night, but windy weather drives them belowground.

Sexual Dimorphism:
None

Length:
Range: 103-142 mm

Weight:
Range: 17-38 g

References:

Cope, E.D., 1868.  Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 20:2.

Links:

Mammal Species of the World

Distribution of Lemmiscus curtatus