Meadow vole
| Meadow vole | ||||||||||||
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Meadow vole ( Microtus pennsylvanicus ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Microtus pennsylvanicus | ||||||||||||
| ( Ord , 1815) |
The Wiesenwühlmaus ( Microtus pennsylvanicus ) is a medium sized representatives of the family of agitators (Cricetidae). The body length of the animals is between 9-12.5 centimeters and that of the tail 3.5 to 6.5 centimeters.
Appearance
The animals have an elongated, rounded body. The forehead is very flat, the head is short and the ears are close to the body. The front limbs are only half as long as the hind legs. The tail is only slightly hairy. The fur on the side of the body is brown, although it is a little darker on the back. The belly and throat are white.
distribution and habitat
The meadow vole is found in Canada and the United States . It inhabits grasslands and forests there, mostly near bodies of water.
Way of life and reproduction
These animals live in the company of conspecifics, each animal having its own territory. In order to mark their territory, certain areas are downright mowed. They eat plant seeds, grasses, roots and the bark of various tree species. Their living caves consist of long corridors with their own kettles, which they pad with grass. In the event of danger, the animals drum loudly with their hind paws to warn their fellows. The females are very fertile and have offspring five to ten times a year. A litter consists of up to nine young animals that are relatively naked and blind after birth and completely dependent on the care of their mother. The wearing time is 3 weeks. The females are sexually mature as early as 3 weeks of age.
Hazards and protective measures
Since this species is still relatively widespread and no specific threats are known, it is listed by the IUCN as Least Concern .
literature
- Philip Whitfield (ed.): The great world empire of the animals. Planet Media AG, Zug 1992, ISBN 3-8247-8614-1 , pp. 172, 173.
- David Mac Donald: Encyclopedia of Mammals. Könneman, Königswinter 2003, (German translation from English) ISBN 3-89731-928-4 , pp. 630–633.
Web links
- Microtus pennsylvanicus in the Red List of Threatened Species of the IUCN 2016.3. Posted by: Cassola, F., 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2017.