Vole: 4 Primary Facts

A vole is a creature belonging to the rat species.

Vole, an English name applied to several species of the rat family. 

4 Primary Facts About Voles:

1. The voles are widely distributed, being found in Europe, Africa, Asia and in North and South America.
2.  The water vole is about the same size as the brown rat, and it is often called a rat. 
3. It has dark brown or black fur, a tail about half the length of the body, and very strong hind feet, with five rounded pads on the lower surfaces. 
4. It burrows by the banks of streams and feeds for the most part on vegetable food. 

2 More Types of Voles:

1. The field vole, or short-tailed field mouse, is about the size of a common mouse, but the body is stouter and the tail shorter. It has brownish-gray fur; its hind feet have six pads. It lives in fields and woods, feeds on vegetable food, is very prolific and often does much damage to grain and other crops. 
2. The hank vole is like the field vole, but it has a rusty-colored back, larger ears and a longer tail.

Watch young voles by seahue.