Common Vole
Microtus arvalis
Silhouette: Titouan Montessuit · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassMammalia (Mammals)
- OrderRodentia (Rodents)
- FamilyCricetidae (Hamsters, Voles, Lemmings, and Allies)
- GenusMicrotus (Meadow Voles)
- SpeciesMicrotus arvalis (Common Vole)
About the Common Vole
The common vole (Microtus arvalis) is a European rodent. The common vole is hardly restricted in means of distribution and habitat and inhabits large areas of Eurasia. However, apart from the Orkney vole, in Ireland and Britain it is replaced by the related field vole, M. agrestis. As M. arvalis followed human civilization, primary and secondary habitats can be distinguished.
The primary habitats are everything but dense forests, such as meadows, heath lands, and fallow land. The secondary habitats are mainly agricultural fields, where shallow-sloped areas are preferred. The natural food of the common vole is grass, but it also feeds on many agricultural crops (within secondary habitats) and here its reproduction is faster than in primary habitats.
After pregnancy of 16 to 24 days, females give birth to 3 to 8 juveniles, weighing between 1.0 and 3.1 g. Weaning is around the 20th day. Female juveniles can be impregnated from the 13th day after birth. Hence, first birth can be given from the 33rd day. During annual reproduction, which starts in March and ends in October, females usually have three reproductive... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Common Vole in Wadden Sea National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Wadden Sea National Park
Field Vole
Microtus agrestis
Muskrat
Ondatra zibethicus
Bank Vole
Myodes glareolus
European Water Vole
Arvicola amphibius
Eurasian Red Squirrel
Sciurus vulgaris
Coypu
Myocastor coypus
Eurasian Beaver
Castor fiber
European Wood Mouse
Apodemus sylvaticus
Eurasian Harvest Mouse
Micromys minutus
Yellow-necked Field Mouse
Apodemus flavicollis
Striped Field Mouse
Apodemus agrarius
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wadden Sea National Park | 🇩🇪 Germany | |
| 2 | Kiskunság National Park | 🇭🇺 Hungary | |
| 3 | Fertő-Hanság National Park | 🇭🇺 Hungary | |
| 4 | Bavarian Forest National Park | 🇩🇪 Germany | |
| 5 | Pyrénées National Park | 🇫🇷 France |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Common Vole in Wadden Sea National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Common Vole sighting in Wadden Sea National Park, based on 6 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Common Vole in Wadden Sea National Park?
December has the highest sighting rate for Common Vole in Wadden Sea National Park in our monthly data.