Species: Microtus longicaudus
Long-tailed Vole
Species
Show on Lists
Encyclopedia of Puget Sound
Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Craniata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Rodentia
Family
Cricetidae
Genus
Microtus
NatureServe
Classification
Other Global Common Names
campagnol longicaude
Informal Taxonomy
Animals, Vertebrates - Mammals - Rodents
Formal Taxonomy
Animalia - Craniata - Mammalia - Rodentia - Cricetidae - Microtus - by Jones et al. (1992), Baker et al. (2003), and Musser and Carleton (in Wilson and Reeder 1993, 2005). Extensive karyotypic and molecular variation suggests the need for further taxonomic investigation (Musser and Carleton).
Ecology and Life History
Migration
true - false - false
Non-migrant
true
Locally Migrant
false
Food Comments
Green vegetation, seeds, berries, and fungi. In winter may feed on inner bark of shrubs and trees.
Reproduction Comments
Breeds mid-May to mid-September in Alaska and Idaho, May-October in Nevada (mostly June-July). Litters/year: 1-4 in Alberta (average 2); maximum of 2 litters during lifetime for Alaska females. Litter size is 2-8; average 4 in Alberta, 5 in Alaska (Smolen and Keller 1987). Young of year breed in Alberta, not in Alaska.
Ecology Comments
Populations fluctuate dramatically. Population densities are usually relatively low but may build up to 40 or more/ha (Jones et al. 1983). Seldom lives more than 1 year. May be displaced by more aggressive M. MONTANUS (Smolen and Keller 1987).
Length
20
Weight
58
Conservation Status
NatureServe Global Status Rank
G5
Global Status Last Reviewed
1996-11-13
Global Status Last Changed
1996-11-13
Other Status
LC - Least concern
Distribution
Conservation Status Map
<img src="http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/GetMapGif?CA.AB=S5&CA.BC=S5&CA.NT=SU&CA.YT=S5&US.AK=S5&US.AZ=S4&US.CA=SNR&US.CO=S5&US.ID=S5&US.MT=S4&US.NN=S3&US.NV=S4&US.NM=S4&US.OR=S5&US.SD=S4&US.UT=S4&US.WA=S5&US.WY=S5" alt="Conservation Status Map" style="width: 475px; height: auto;" />
Global Range
Western North America; from east-central Alaska south through western Canada and the western U.S. to southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico, east to Colorado. Populations at eastern and southern edges of range generally restricted to high elevations in isolated mountains. Elevational range: sea level to at least 3650 m.