Water Vole (North America)
From Freepedia
| Water Vole | ||||||||||||||||
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| Microtus richardsoni (De Kay, 1842) |
The Water Vole, Microtus richardsoni or Arvicola richardsoni, is the largest North American vole. It is found in the northwestern United States and southern parts of western Canada. Some sources consider this animal to be part of the same species as the European Water Vole, Arvicola terrestris.
These animals have grey-brown or red-brown fur with grey underparts. Their large hind feet help make them excellent swimmers. They are 25 cm long with a 8 cm tail and weigh about 110 g.
They are found in alpine or semi-alpine meadows near water. They feed on grasses, leaves, roots and seeds, also eating small invertebrates.
Female voles have two litters of two to eight young in a year.
They are active year-round. Their burrows often have entrances at the water's edge or exiting into water. They are often found in colonies.
