| Tundra vole | |
|---|---|
_(9-4-08)_gambell%2c_ak_-2_(2834490753).jpg) | |
| Tundra vole in Alaska | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Cricetidae |
| Subfamily: | Arvicolinae |
| Genus: | Alexandromys |
| Species: | A. oeconomus |
| Binomial name | |
| Alexandromys oeconomus (Pallas, 1776) | |
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Thetundra vole (Alexandromys oeconomus) orroot vole is a medium-sizedvole found inNorthern andCentral Europe,Asia, and northwesternNorth America, includingAlaska and northwesternCanada.[2] In the western part of theNetherlands, the tundra vole is arelict from theice age and has developed into thesubspeciesAlexandromys oeconomus arenicola.
The tundra vole has short ears and a short tail. Its fur is yellowish brown with paler sides and white underparts. It is typically about 18 cm (7.1 in) long with a 4 cm (1.6 in) tail and a weight of about 50 grams (1.8 oz).
The tundra vole is found in damptundra or moist meadows, usually near water.
This species makes runways through the surface growth in warm weather and tunnels through the snow in winter. It feeds on grasses, sedges and seeds. It is active year-round. It also digs burrows where it stores seeds and roots, especiallylicorice root, for the winter.
Female voles have three to six litters of three to nine young in a shallow burrow. The vole population in a given area can vary greatly from year to year.
Subspecies are as follows:[3]
