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 Vole Species 2 - The vole species 2 page gives you access to information about the snow vole, prairie vole, woodland vole, heather vole, sagebrush vole, tundra vole and pine vole.
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The heather vole is a small species of vole which lives in mountain regions near the timberline. In America heather voles are a 'Species of Special Concern' because its habitat is being destroyed by clearcutting of forests.
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Heather Vole
This species of vole is small and has a tail only slightly longer than the hind foot. The pelage is long and soft, and dorsal color ranges from brown to grayish. The venter is silver gray and the tail is bicolored, dark above and pale below, often with a sprinkling of white hairs over the dorsal surface. Heather Voles' feet are white to pale gray. Usually there are stiff, orange hairs in the ears. Measurements are: total length 130-140 mm; length of tail 31-34 mm; length of hindfoot 16-19 mm; length of ear 13-17 mm; weight 30-50 g.
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A heather vole foraging
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They occupy mountainous regions and typically occur at higher elevations near or above the timberline. Heather Voles are found in a variety of sub-alpine and alpine habitats, including open coniferous forest, riparian areas, forest edge, moist meadows and tundra areas usually near water. They eat green plants, seeds and berries in summer and bark and buds of shrubs at other times. They store food for later use year-round.
Heather voles are active year round. The voles have different nesting areas depending on the time of the year. In the summer months, they live in burrow systems. These burrows are usually around 20 cm deep. The nest is made of grasses, lichen, and other types of vegetation.
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The most relevant links we could find, placed here free
 Animal Diversity Web
- This page has a profile on the heather vole which contains interesting facts about its habitat and behaviour. animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu
Talk About Wildlife
- This page profiles the western heather vole with information about its feeding habits and breeding behaviour. www.weaselhead.org
This species of vole does not hibernate. In the winter, they build their nest on the surface of the ground under the snow. These nests are better insulated and have thicker walls made of lichen and twigs, and the nest is lined with grasses.
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Heather vole North American range map
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In America they are a 'Species of Special Concern' with a 'Native Species Status' because populations are restricted in distribution, and because its habitat is vulnerable due to the clearcutting of forests. Heather vole predators include mustelids, owls, hawks and carnivorous mammals.
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