Microtus ochrogaster

Uncommon; Minnesota special concern species

Prairies, fields, thickets, railroads. Dry areas.

Head and body: 3½″ to 5″

Tail: 1″ to 1¾″

Almost entirely grasses, tubers, roots, and seeds, but also some insects.

This is a small, noisy tree squirrel, the smallest of the tree squirrels of its range.

At maturity it is 11″ to 13¾″ long including the tail.

The head and body are 3½″ to 5″ long. The coloration does not change in the winter. The coat is grayish-brown to dark brown with black-tipped and tawny-tipped hairs, giving it a grizzled appearance. The back is somewhat darker than the sides. The underside is yellowish. The legs and feet are yellowish brown.

The tail is 1″ to 1¾″ long and bicolored.

Breeding takes place year-round. 1 to 7 (usually 3 or 4) litters are produced each year. Gestation lasts 20 to 23 days. The offspring reach sexual maturity at 5 to 6 weeks. Adults usually live less than one year.

meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) coat does not have a grizzled appearance. The belly is not yellowish. The tail is longer, 12 ⁄5″ to 23 ⁄5″ long. Where the ranges overlap meadow vole will be in wetter areas.