| 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.
Sexual Dimorphism:
None
Length:
Range:
130-172 mm
Weight:
Range:
37-48 g
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.
Links:
Mammal Species of the World
Click here for The American Society of Mammalogists species account
|
Microtus ochrogaster - ventral view, gray fur
Click to enlarge.
(60kb)
Click to enlarge.
(107kb)
Click to enlarge.
(26kb)
|
