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Tundra vole

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Tundra vole
Tundra vole in Alaska
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Cricetidae
Subfamily: Arvicolinae
Genus: Alexandromys
Species:
A. oeconomus
Binomial name
Alexandromys oeconomus
(Pallas, 1776)
Synonyms[1]
  • Microtus oeconomus (Pallas, 1776)
  • Mus oeconomus Pallas, 1776

The tundra vole (Alexandromys oeconomus) or root vole is a medium-sized vole found in Northern and Central Europe, Asia, and northwestern North America, including Alaska and northwestern Canada.[2] In the western part of the Netherlands, the tundra vole is a relict from the ice age and has developed into the subspecies Alexandromys oeconomus arenicola.

Description

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The tundra vole has short ears and a short tail. Its fur is yellowish brown with paler sides and white underparts. It is typically about 18 cm (7.1 in) long with a 4 cm (1.6 in) tail and a weight of about 50 grams (1.8 oz).

Habitat

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The tundra vole is found in damp tundra or moist meadows, usually near water.

Behaviour and diet

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This species makes runways through the surface growth in warm weather and tunnels through the snow in winter. It feeds on grasses, sedges and seeds. It is active year-round. It also digs burrows where it stores seeds and roots, especially licorice root, for the winter.

Breeding

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Female voles have three to six litters of three to nine young in a shallow burrow. The vole population in a given area can vary greatly from year to year.

Subspecies

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Subspecies are as follows:[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b Linzey, A.V.; Shar, S.; Lkhagvasuren, D.; Juškaitis, R.; Sheftel, B.; Meinig, H.; Amori, G. & Henttonen, H. (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. "Microtus oeconomus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T13451A115113894. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T13451A22347188.en. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  2. ^ "Alexandromys oeconomus". ASM Mammal Diversity Database. American Society of Mammalogists.
  3. ^ Witte van den Bosch, R. and Bekker, D. (2009). Verdwijnt de oer-Hollandse lemming? Geschiedenis en toekomst van de noordse woelmuis. Zoogdier 20-4: p.p 3-7. (in Dutch)