Voles

Voles are small rodents (similar to mice) that live across the state of Pennsylvania. They breed quickly and are a food source for many different types of predators. They are active year-round and do not hibernate. There are 4 species of voles native to Pennsylvania: the meadow vole, the southern red-backed vole, the rock vole, and the woodland vole.

Meadow Voles

AppearanceMouselike with a short tail; dull chestnut brown fur with a darker area along the middle of the back, gray or white along the belly
Lengthapprox. 6 to 7.5 inches which includes a 1.3 to 2.5 inch tail
Weight0.7 to 3.2 ounces
HabitatMeadow voles like moist meadows and fields with thick grass. They can also be found in bogs or grassy clearings in the woods.
FoodGrass, sedges, grains, tubers, roots, the inner bark of trees and shrubs
PredatorsHawks, owls, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, snakes, weasels, and domestic cats
Location in PennsylvaniaStatewide
Extra factsMeadow voles are commonly known as field mice even though they are not, in fact, members of the mouse family.
They are good swimmers.
They can run up to 5 miles per hour.

Southern Red-backed Voles

AppearanceMouselike with a reddish, brown band along the back and a pale gray belly
Lengthroughly 4.5 to 6.2 inches which includes a 1.2 to 2 inch tail
Weight0.6 – 1.3 ounces
HabitatSouthern red-backed voles like to live in cool, damp forests with mossy rocks and rotten logs, or deciduous forests with ferns and rocky outcrops. They can also be found in grassy clearings.
FoodNuts, berries, seeds, green vegetation, fungi, and roots
PredatorsHawks, owls, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, snakes, weasels, and domestic cats
Location in PennsylvaniaUpland Pennsylvania
Extra factsSouthern red-backed voles are known to travel through burrows made by moles and shrews.

Rock Voles

AppearanceRock voles look very similar to meadow voles except for their distinct, yellow to orange noses.
LengthSimilar to meadow voles
WeightSimilar to meadow voles
HabitatRock voles can be found in cool, damp woods and among boulders with lots of groundcover.
FoodGreen plants, leaves, stems, seeds, fungi, and insect larvae
PredatorsHawks, owls, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, snakes, weasels, and domestic cats
Location in PennsylvaniaNortheastern Pennsylvania
Extra factsRock voles are considered rare in Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania Biological Survey classified them as a vulnerable species in 1985.

Woodland Voles

AppearanceMouselike, with soft and glossy chestnut fur on the back and gray fur on the belly
Lengthabout 4.5 to 5.5 inches which includes a 0.7 to 1 inch tail
Weight0.9 to 1.3 ounces
HabitatWoodland voles are typically found in wooded bottomlands, old fields, around the edges of farmlands, and in orchards.
FoodLeaves, stems, roots, tree bark, seeds, fruit, potatoes, and flower bulbs
PredatorsHawks, owls, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, snakes, weasels, and domestic cats
Location in PennsylvaniaStatewide, but more common in southeastern Pennsylvania
Extra factsWoodland voles primarily burrow underground like moles.
They are Pennsylvania’s smallest vole.

Complaints

Voles eat bulbs, seeds, tubers, fruits and vegetables, often damaging garden plants. They burrow and make tunnels in yards and gardens.

Solutions

Trapping voles with lethal types of traps is the most efficient means to removing voles. There are powders and chemicals that can be used to deter voles but they aren’t as efficient as trapping.

For more information about voles, check out the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s wildlife notes.