| Rock vole | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Cricetidae |
| Subfamily: | Arvicolinae |
| Genus: | Microtus |
| Subgenus: | Pitymys |
| Species: | M. chrotorrhinus |
| Binomial name | |
| Microtus chrotorrhinus (Miller, 1894) | |
 | |
Therock vole (Microtus chrotorrhinus), also known as theyellow-nosed vole, is a medium-sized species ofvole found in eastern North America.
This species is similar in appearance to the largertaiga vole. It has short ears and a long tail which is paler underneath. The fur is greyish-brown with grey underparts and a yellowish nose. Its length averages 15 cm (5.9 in) long with a 5-cm tail, and it weighs about 39 g (1.4 oz).
They are found on moist rocky slopes in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. They make runways through the surface growth and shallowburrows. They are usually found in small colonies.
They feed on grasses,mosses, undergroundfungi and berries (especiallybunchberry), and also sometimes oncaterpillars. Predators includehawks,owls, snakes and smallcarnivorous mammals.
The female vole has two or three litters of four to seven young. They are active year-round, mainly during the day, but are rarely seen. It has been designated as a species of concern in some parts of its range.
Authority control databases: National |
|---|
