Prairie Vole

The Prairie Vole (Microtus ochrogaster) is a small vole found in central North America. The vole has long, coarse grayish-brown fur on the upper portion of the body and yellowish fur on the lower portion of the body. They have short ears and a short tail, which is somewhat darker on top.

Taxonomy and distribution
The prairie vole's scientific name, Microtus ochrogaster, is derived from Greek; the genus name translates to "small ear" and the specific epithet translates to "yellow belly". They are found in grasslands in the central United States and Canada; ranging from the eastern Rocky Mountains in the west to West Virginia in the east and into the Canadian Prairies to the north.

Habitat
Prairie voles make shallow underground burrows and runways through surface vegetation. In winter, they tunnel underneath the snow. Their runways are used for many purposes, from predator protection to obtaining food. Prairie voles are easily disturbed. They will not hesitate to use their underground burrows if they notice predators close by or disturbances that pose a threat. Compared to the meadow vole, prairie voles prefer to inhabit drier areas.

Behavior
Prairie voles are active year-round. In colder weather, they tend to be more active during the day; at other times, they are mainly nocturnal. Prairie voles live in colonies and have been known to exhibit human-like social behavior in groups.

Prairie voles live rarely longer than one or two years. Their life expectancy is based on predator presence and natural factors in their area of inhabitance.

Prairie voles are primarily herbivorous, feeding on grasses, roots, fruit, seeds and bark and some insects. The voles store food. Predators include coyotes, hawks, owls, foxes and snakes. They may cause damage to garden plants and small trees.

Reproduction
During mating season, prairie voles take up individual territory and defend it from other voles. They mark their territory with urine and other secretions. A posture that the defender use towards a competitor or enemy is raising the forefeet, extending the head forward, and chattering of the teeth. During non-mating seasons, the prairie voles live together.

Like other voles, prairie voles can reproduce at any time of the year, but the main breeding seasons are in the fall and the spring. Unlike other voles, prairie voles are generally monogamous. The prairie vole is a notable animal model for studying monogamous behavior and social bonding because male and female partners form life-long pair bonds, huddle and groom each other, share nesting and pup-raising responsibilities, and generally show a high level of affiliative behavior. However, they are not sexually faithful, and though pair-bonded females usually show aggression toward unfamiliar males, both sexes will occasionally mate with other voles if the opportunity arises.

The female's gestation period is between 20 and 30 days. Female voles have two to four litters of 2 to 7 young per year in a nest lined with vegetation in an underground burrow or in a depression on the ground. Litter size varies depending on food availability and the age of the female. Baby voles open their eyes at about eight days after birth, become capable of feeding themselves at about two weeks.

Interaction with humans
Prairie voles are native animals and important to the ecosystem. They provide food for predators. They are considered pests by some however. There are many ways to prevent voles from destroying gardens or other areas. Electric repellers and predators (snakes, owls, coyotes, foxes, domestic animals, and hawks) can be used to reduce vole populations. Voles can also be scared away by plastic ornaments that resemble natural predators. The best way to deter voles in the first place is by not providing the food they want or habitat they desire.

Though poison is an option to prevent voles, poisoned voles can create a threat to other animals and humans. Voles are prey for other predators. If they are eaten by predators while poisoned, the poison could harm the predator. In addition, when placing poison near vole entrances, other animals may be able to reach it making it a hazard to them. Moreover, poison left in the field can easily be blown or washed away. In residential areas, the poison itself and poisoned voles can be harmful and/or dangerous to people as well as domesticated animals.