Mammals
Field Vole
Microtus agrestis · also called short-tailed field vole
In a tussock of rough grass, a field vole follows one of its narrow runways, nibbling stems, while a barn owl quarters the field above in the dusk.
Overview
The field vole, Microtus agrestis, is a Least Concern rodent of rough grassland across Europe and northern Asia. Its grass runways, boom-and-bust population cycles, and role as food for many predators make it one of the most important small mammals of open country.
A cornerstone of the food web
Because so many predators depend on it, a good or bad year for field voles can ripple through the owls, kestrels, and foxes that live beside them.
Status
Least Concern, widespread and often abundant in rough grassland.
Field Vole: common questions
How is a vole different from a mouse?
A vole has a blunt nose, small ears, and a tail shorter than its body, while a mouse has a more pointed nose, larger ears, and a longer tail.
Why do field vole numbers change so much?
In parts of northern Europe, numbers rise and crash over a cycle of a few years.
Which predators eat field voles?
It is a main food for barn owls, kestrels, weasels, and foxes.
Where is the field vole found?
It lives in rough grassland, moorland, and woodland edges across much of Europe and northern Asia, including Britain.