Southern red-backed vole
Food for the raptors.
The presence (click here) of some forms of wildlife is easy to note while others are nearly impossible to detect. By restricting activities to places hidden from view, many creatures are able to maintain a secretive life. Small size and protective coloration can further reduce the chances of some animals from ever being glimpsed even on those occasions when they temporarily venture into a more exposed location. Not producing a call or any audible sound can also add to the stealth-like nature of many creatures, and failing to leave any visible sign of feeding or travel routes can make an animal unknown in those areas in which it is abundant....
Habitat: cool, mossy coniferous forests with stumps, logs, or brush piles used for nesting.
Scientific Name: See title to entry - thank you
Type: Mammal
Group Name/Family:Cricetidae
Average Life Span: The southern red-backed vole has a life expectancy of 10-20 months so its breeding cycle is quick! Breeding season runs from March through October. The female gives birth to two to eight young. She will have two to three litters a year. The gestation period is 17-19 days and the young are weaned when they are 17-21 days old. They are ready to mate when they are three months old!
A species with this short of a life cycle and such vital importance to a food chain can easily begin a decline in the entire ecosystem if they die off for whatever reason might occur, including disease or groundwater contamination, etc.
Size: 8.5 inches in length and a 16 inch wing span
Weight: 1.8 ounces
Scientific Name: See title to entry - thank you
Type: Mammal
Group Name/Family:Cricetidae
Average Life Span: The southern red-backed vole has a life expectancy of 10-20 months so its breeding cycle is quick! Breeding season runs from March through October. The female gives birth to two to eight young. She will have two to three litters a year. The gestation period is 17-19 days and the young are weaned when they are 17-21 days old. They are ready to mate when they are three months old!
A species with this short of a life cycle and such vital importance to a food chain can easily begin a decline in the entire ecosystem if they die off for whatever reason might occur, including disease or groundwater contamination, etc.
Size: 8.5 inches in length and a 16 inch wing span
Weight: 1.8 ounces
Diet: Red-backed voles are omnivores and their diet changes with the season.
They eat insects, seeds, grains, nuts, flowers, leaves, roots, bark, lichens, and fungi.Size: The head and body length of red-backed voles varies between 70 and 112 mm 2.8 to 4.4 inches). The tail is 25 to 60 mm long (1 to 2.4 inches). Weighs between 6 and 42 grams (0.2 to 1.5 ounces)
