Voles - New York, New Jersey, Connecticut

Appearance

Most vole species have rootless molars that fold into a series of triangles. Voles are one of the few rodents whose molars continue to grow during their entire life. There is little to distinguish a vole from a lemming.

Voles exhibit complex genetic structures with much variation, and appear to be evolving rapidly when compared to other vertibrates. Species have been found with anywhere from 17-64 chromosomes. Female voles have been found with chromosomes from both sexes. All of these variations result in very little physical abberration: most vole species are virtually indistinguishable.

All rodents have incisors that grow continuously.

Adult voles, depending on the species, are three to seven inches long.

Habitat

Voles live in a variety of environments. The North American Meadow Vole lives in networks of above-ground "runways" in grassy areas, as well as underground burrows.

Diet

Depending on the species, the vole's diet consists of seeds, tubers, conifers needles, bark, various green vegetation such as grass and clover, and insects.

Age

The average life of a vole is 3–6 months. Voles rarely live longer than 12 months. The longest lifespan of a vole ever recorded was 18 months.