Bank vole
LIVING HABITS
The bank vole thrives best in woodland areas, especially those where dense undergrowth provides shelter and food. The bank vole is mostly herbivorous, however, insects are suitable for them as well. They typically make a nest in a burrow underground. The bank vole is one of the most important prey species for many predators, thus the small bank vole plays a big role in our ecosystem.
PROTECTION
The bank vole is a vigorous species. Their population size in Finland varies with a relatively regular cycle of a few years. The bank vole is common throughout almost all of Europe.
ADAPTING TO WINTER
The snow cover provides security for bank voles, and they make passages under the surface of the snow diligently.
Bank vole
Myodes glareolus
Order: Rodentia – Rodents
Family: Cricetidae –Moles
Size: Body length 6 – 14 cm, tail clearly shorter than the body. Weight 13 – 35 g.
Breeding: Breeding season from spring to autumn, in favorable conditions even all year round. Pregnancy lasts about 3 weeks, but the length varies slightly depending on, among other things, the nutritional situation. Usually 3 to 6 pups are born at once, and the female gives birth to several pups during the year. Sexually mature at 1 – 2 months of age.
Did you know…
Did you know, that the snow cover in the winter provides security for bank voles, and they make passages under the surface of the snow diligently?