Maximowicz's Vole

Maximowicz's vole is found in north-eastern China, Mongolia and eastern Russia. Adults have a head-and-body length of 11.6–15.5cm and a tail of 3.7–6cm. The fur on the back is dark brownish-black with ochre specks, the flanks paler brown, blending gradually into greyish-white underparts. The tail is either uniform dark brown or bicoloured, dark above and white below (Wikipedia, general species account).

It is most active early in the morning and shortly before nightfall, when it leaves its burrow to feed on grasses and other plant material. The burrow entrance has a spoil heap up to 100cm across, and the short tunnel ends in a nest chamber about 35cm across. Little is known of its breeding, but females have been reported carrying seven and nine embryos (Wikipedia, general species account).