Meadow Vole

Microtus pennsylvanicus

General Status Rank: 
Secure
ELCODE: 
AMAFF11010
Common Name: 
Meadow Vole
Scientific Name: 
Microtus pennsylvanicus
Google image search
Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Rodentia
Family: 
Cricetidae
References: 
B001
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

25 days
References: 
B001

Longevity

Up to 16 months, average of 1 month (high young mortality).
References: 
B001

Economic/Human Considerations

Key prey species for many fur bearers.
References: 
B001
Habitat
Grass-dominated field, meadows, marsh, bog mats; wetter than drier.
References: 
B112
H122
BSC2
Distribution

Ecozones

Southern Arctic, Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Boreal Cordillera, Boreal Plains
References: 
B112

Distribution

76% of the NWT.
Score: 
G = 2
References: 
B112

Number of Occurrences

Score: 
E = >
References: 
H126

Area of Occupancy

Stable?
Score: 
-
References: 
B001
R043
RSC13
Population

Population Size

Millions
Score: 
H = >

Density

15 to 45 per acre of old field, 45 to 100 per acre of marsh.
Trends

Trends

Annual fluctuations and 3 to 4 year dramatic fluctuations; last peak in 2002.
References: 
B001
R043
RSC13
Threats

Threats

Score: 
C = M
References: 
B001

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Likes disturbed habitats.
Score: 
-
References: 
B001
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Secure
S Rank: 
S5
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted by S. Carriere and M. Bradley. Reviewed in 2004, no changes in status. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2020, no change.
Last Updated: 
February 16, 2024

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Area of Occupancy

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Carrière S (1998) Small mammal survey in the Northwet Territories and Nunavut Report 1998. NWT Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development Manuscript Report No. 115 RWED Library Call #QL81.5.N67 no.115 - R043 Return
  • Carriere, S. (2004) Small Mammal Survey and Hare Transect Survey in the Northwest Territories – Summary Report 2004. Manuscript report - RSC13 Return

Economic Status

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Ecozones

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return

Habitat

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return
  • Bradley, M (1999) Personnal Communication. Biologist / Wood Buffalo National Park, Fort Smith, NT - H122 Return
  • Wilson, Don. E and Ruff, S. (eds) (1999) The Smithsonian book of North American mammals. UBC Press 750 pp. RWED Library Call#QL715.S64 - BSC2 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Longevity

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return

Range Extent

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Carrière S (1998) Small mammal survey in the Northwet Territories and Nunavut Report 1998. NWT Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development Manuscript Report No. 115 RWED Library Call #QL81.5.N67 no.115 - R043 Return
  • Carriere, S. (2004) Small Mammal Survey and Hare Transect Survey in the Northwest Territories – Summary Report 2004. Manuscript report - RSC13 Return

Taxonomy

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Threats

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return