The Meadow Vole is almost the most widespread of all the North American voles, its range being exceeded only by that giant of voles, the Common Muskrat, with which it could never be mistaken. It occurs across the continent from the Atlantic to the east flanks of the Coast Range and northward from Georgia and Utah into the tundra of northern Canada and Alaska. It virtually occupies all suitable habitat in Alberta -- any grassland, large or small, such as meadows, cultivated fields, abandoned fields, hay fields, prairies, marshy areas, vacant lots, edges and opening in woods -- wherever there is a protective covering of grass, sedge or moss or tall herbaceous plants. They may be our most numerous mammal species.
This is invariably the familiar 'mouse' that you see scurrying about in grassy meadows or stubble fields on your outdoor rambles. It is also the staple food of a very wide range of creatures -- all the carnivorous animals -- mammals, birds, snakes, large frogs and fish take their toll.
Except for the muskrat, it is a relatively large vole. The long, loose fur is reddish brown, darker on the back, lighter on the sides. The undersides is lead grey. The sparsely-haired, short, bicoloured tail is up to 25 per cent of the total length. It has small beady eyes, and its ears are hidden in its fur. Measurements of average adult males are: total length, 150 mm (6 in); tail, 37 mm (1.5 in); weight, 31.5 g (1 oz). Females are only slightly smaller. Active all year, they lose considerable weight through the winter.
Meadow Voles usually occur in extensive colonies. However they are aggressive and pugnacious, fighting whenever strangers meet. The females dominate the males.
They are fastidious creatures, continually washing their face and grooming their flanks. They always use a common latrine some distance from their nest.
Primarily terrestrial, they readily plunge into and swim across sizable water bodies, bouyed by air trapped in their fluffy fur. They also dive expertly when pursued.
They construct extensive runways -- vole highways in the grass. These are most apparent after the winter snows melt. In summer, they make a shelter under a board, rock, log or shrub or use the shallow den of a chipmunk. In winter, they make a woven, globular nest about 15 cm (6 in) in diameter out of dry grass. placed on the ground under the snow.
This species exhibits dramatic population fluctuations every 3.5 to 4.5 years. Numbers build up from 15 to 45 individuals per acre in old field habitat and 45 to 150 per acre in marsh habitat, to over 400 per acre, before crashing.
The average life-span of this species is one of the shortest -- about one month. Over 80 per cent mortality happens during the first month. The average length that adults survived is two months. The maximum life-span in one study was 16 months. In this study, the spring young bore an autumn crop, of which enough survived to breed the next spring.
Their diet is basically one of vegetation, occasionally taking some insects and snails, and resorting to cannibalism, eating their own kind, mostly the young, presumably when other food was scarce.
In spring, they feed on the tender shoots of grass; in summer, they cut the grass stems into short sections to get at the succulent leaves and seeds, as well as the leaves, flowers and fruits of other herbaceous plants; in winter, they eat the basal greens below the snow, as well as seeds, underground roots and bulbs. When winter food is scarce, they consume the bark of woody shrubs, saplings and trees. They also store considerable food for winter use; the tubers of Three-flowered Avens are one of their favourites. They also gather the seeds of the invasive introduced Crested Wheat and Smooth Brome Grasses, perhaps aiding in their rapid spread.
These creatures meet, mate and multiply before rabbits, which are renowned for their fecundity, almost get started. During the breeding season, which may be year round under some circumstances, they mate promiscuously. The female's squeak attracts males from some distances. The gestation period is about 20 days, and re-mating takes place immediately after the birth of a litter. The litter size is two to eleven (average six). In the laboratory as many as 17 litters were produced by one female in a year. If all the young and their young had lived to reproduce, by year's end they would number over one million individuals. In the wild they only average about 3.5 litters per year. The eyes of the young open about day 6; they are weaned about day 12, and are on their own shortly after.
Young females are sexually mature at about day 25, giving birth to their first litter when they are only half-grown at 45 days of age. Young males do not reach sexual maturity until about 45 days old. Those born after mid-summer may not mature until the next spring.
Calgary sightings: A careful observer, on a walk in almost any long grassy area in any Calgary park or unbuilt area at almost any time of the year, will have at least a fleeting glimpse of one or more of these creatures. Failing the sighting of an individual, you should see their runways, nests, latrine, and in winter snow, their tracks and tunnels.
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KEN OAKES
for serving as the society's PRESIDENT this year