Voles are small rodents belonging to the Cricetidae family. Although they are often incorrectly referred to as “field mice” or “meadow mice,” voles are distinct mammals with specific physical characteristics. Understanding the physical traits of this common outdoor rodent is essential for proper identification and differentiation from other small mammals.
General Body Shape and Size
Voles possess a body that is notably stocky and stout, presenting a compact, rounded profile unlike the more slender build of a common mouse. Their physical structure is characterized by short legs that contribute to their low-to-the-ground, burrowing lifestyle. The overall length of an adult vole, including its short tail, typically ranges from 3 to 7 inches.
Their fur is generally dense and soft, often described as coarse or shaggy, providing insulation. The coloration is usually uniform across the body, most commonly appearing in shades of brown or gray, sometimes mixed with black or featuring a reddish hue depending on the species.
Key Features for Identification
The most definitive features for identifying a vole are concentrated on its head and tail. Voles are known for their short tails, which are significantly shorter than the length of their head and body combined. This tail is also covered in hair, giving it a fuzzy texture, contrasting with the nearly naked tails of many other small rodents.
The head is characterized by a blunt, rounded snout. Their eyes are small and dark, consistent with their semi-burrowing habits. Similarly, the ears are small and rounded, often partially or almost entirely concealed by the dense surrounding fur, making them inconspicuous.
How Voles Differ from Mice and Shrews
Distinguishing a vole from a true mouse relies primarily on three contrasting features: body build, tail, and ears. A house mouse has a more slender and delicate body structure compared to the vole’s stout, compact frame. Crucially, the mouse’s tail is long—often equal to or longer than its body length—and is sparsely haired, giving it a scaly appearance.
The ears of a mouse are large and prominent, standing out clearly from the head, whereas the vole’s ears are small and nearly hidden beneath the fur. These differences in tail length and ear size are the most reliable indicators for separating a vole from a common mouse.
Distinguishing Voles from Shrews
Voles are also often mistaken for shrews, but the snout immediately separates the two. Voles have a blunt, rounded nose, reflecting their largely herbivorous diet of roots and grasses. Shrews, which are insectivores, possess a long, sharply pointed snout that extends well beyond the jaw.
Shrews also tend to have extremely small, almost invisible eyes and velvety fur, compared to the vole’s coarse fur and visible eyes. These differences in facial structure and diet place the two animals in separate taxonomic orders.