Wildlifeof China
Eastern Mole Vole
Rats, Mice, Voles & Porcupines
Photo: Kudaibergen Amirekul · CC BY-SA 4.0
Ellobius tancrei
Basic stats
Diet
Roots, bulbs, tubers and underground stems
Habitat
Steppe, semidesert and mountain grassland
Range
Central Asia, Mongolia and northwestern China
Size
Approximately 10–13cm head-and-body length
The eastern mole vole is a compact subterranean rodent with tiny eyes, almost concealed ears, a very short tail and prominent incisors used in digging. It occurs through parts of Central Asia, Mongolia and northwestern China. Its cylindrical form and reduced external features suit movement through narrow tunnels. (Wikipedia, general species account)
Colonies inhabit steppe, semidesert and mountain grassland, creating extensive burrow networks. The animals feed underground on roots, bulbs, tubers and stems and rarely appear at the surface. Family groups cooperate in maintaining tunnels and chambers. (Wikipedia, general species account)
Quick answers
- What does the Eastern Mole Vole eat?
- Roots, bulbs, tubers and underground stems
- What habitat does the Eastern Mole Vole live in?
- Steppe, semidesert and mountain grassland
- Where is the Eastern Mole Vole found?
- Central Asia, Mongolia and northwestern China
- How big is the Eastern Mole Vole?
- Approximately 10–13cm head-and-body length