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 Vole Species - Approximately 70 vole species have been discovered which include: meadow Vole, Florida salt marsh vole, Arctic voles, southern red-back voles, bank vole, water vole, CA vole and red-backed vole.
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The Florida salt marsh vole is an extremely rare subspecies of the meadow vole. Its dependance on a specialised habitat dominated by seashore salt grass has led to the Florida salt marsh vole becoming an endangered species.
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Florida Salt Marsh Vole
This species of vole is a small (178 to 198 millimeters in total length), short-tailed rodent with a blunt head and short ears. Its fur is black-brown dorsally and dark gray ventrally. The Florida salt marsh vole is a closely related subspecies to the meadow vole (M. p. pennsylvanicus) but can be distinguished by its larger size, darker coloration, relatively small ears, and by certain skull characteristics.
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The Florida salt marsh vole is endangered
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It is known to utilize a specific type of salt marsh dominated by seashore salt grass, especially where this grass is tall and dense. The voles form runways beneath the tall grass and are rarely, if ever seen. It is unknown exactly how the Florida salt marsh vole survives strong storms and floods. While voles are excellent swimmers, it is assumed they survive long periods of high water by clinging to the tops of vegetation.
Until recently the Florida salt marsh vole was only known to exist in one site at Waccasassa Bay, Florida where it existed in low numbers and had a very restricted range. It was federally-listed as an endangered species on January 14, 1991. Then in spring 2004 three Florida salt marsh voles were discovered by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel on the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge. This important discovery renewed hope for the effective recovery and protection of this rare animal.
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 Pictures Florida Marsh Vole - There have only been a few pictures Florida marsh vole ever taken because it is so endangered. The Florida salt marsh vole is closely related to the commonly found meadow vole but is much more rare.
The most relevant links we could find, placed here free
 US Fish & Wildlife Service
- This page has a profile of the endangered Florida salt marsh vole which includes a rare photograph. www.fws.gov
Cedar Key News
- This article has more information about the rare Florida Salt Marsh Vole and the ongoing efforts to conserve the species. www.cedarkeynews.com
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The salt marsh vole is an extremely rare subspecies
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The continued protection of the Florida salt marsh vole will rely on distribution surveys of the animal and conservation of its specialised salt marsh habitat. Further natural or human-caused adverse impacts on its environment, such as tropical storms, rising sea levels or development along Florida's coastline could lead to the Florida salt marsh vole becoming extinct.
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