Wildlifeof China
Northern Red-backed Vole
Rats, Mice, Voles & PorcupinesClethrionomys rutilus
Basic stats
Diet
Berries, leaves, buds, twigs, forbs, fungi, mosses and lichens; occasional insects
Habitat
Northern forest, shrubland and tundra
Litter size
4–9 young
Size
About 14cm total length
Weight
30–40g
The northern red-backed vole is a slender vole with a rust-coloured back, light-brown sides and underparts, visible short ears and a short, thick tail. It reaches about 14cm overall, including a roughly 3.5cm tail, and weighs around 30–40g. (Wikipedia, general species account)
It inhabits northern forests, shrublands and tundra, remaining active throughout winter beneath the snow. Nests are placed in short burrows or beneath rocks and roots. Berries are prominent in its diet, supplemented by other plant parts, fungi, mosses, lichens and occasional insects. Females produce two or three litters in a season, with four to nine young per litter. (Wikipedia, general species account)
Quick answers
- What does the Northern Red-backed Vole eat?
- Berries, leaves, buds, twigs, forbs, fungi, mosses and lichens; occasional insects
- What habitat does the Northern Red-backed Vole live in?
- Northern forest, shrubland and tundra
- What is the litter size of the Northern Red-backed Vole?
- 4–9 young
- How big is the Northern Red-backed Vole?
- About 14cm total length
- How much does the Northern Red-backed Vole weigh?
- 30–40g