Home › Mammalia › Cricetidae › Common Vole (Microtus arvalis)
SPECIES PROFILE
Common Vole (Microtus arvalis)
Microtus
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Europe
DIET
Herbivorous
HABITAT
Grassland, farmland
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Rodentia
FAMILY
Cricetidae
GENUS
Microtus
📋 Description
SIZE
9-13 cm body, 20-50 g
COLORATION
Grey-brown
ADAPTATIONS
High reproduction, population cycles
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Grassland, farmland
DIET
Herbivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Europe
REPRODUCTION
4-8 young, multiple litters
DIET DETAILS
Grasses
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss, predation
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The common vole is one of the most abundant rodents in Europe and undergoes dramatic population cycles.
2
It is a major prey species and can be a pest in agriculture.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
German farmland
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Extremely common; look for runways in grassland.
