Microtus xanthognathus (Leach 1815)
- Dataset
- Cricetidae
- Rank
- SPECIES
Classification
- kingdom
- Animalia
- phylum
- Chordata
- class
- Mammalia
- order
- Rodentia
- family
- Cricetidae
- genus
- Microtus
- species
- Microtus xanthognathus
activity
Activity patterns. Taiga Voles are terrestrial.
biology_ecology
Habitat. Early successional forests and along mesic forest edges, with heavy moss or ground cover for burrowing and an abundant source of horsetail (Equisetum sp., Equisetaceae) or Epilobium (Onagraceae) rhizomes for food. In Alaska, Taiga Voles are often found 5 - 10 years after a burn in black spruce (Picea mariana, Pinaceae) forests, often with substantial understory.
biology_ecology
Movements, Home range and Social organization. Taiga Voles construct partially subterranean runways, often located near water. Communal nests are shared by 5 - 10 individuals in winter. Nests have multiple entrances, and nearby food caches are stocked with rhizomes and other vegetation in late summer.
breeding
Breeding. Taiga Voles breed in May-September. Young are born in underground burrows. Young-of-the-year do not breed until the following year. Litters have 6 - 13 young (average 8: 8), and females have 1 - 2 litters / year. Taiga Voles are polygynous, and males maintain territories.
conservation
Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.
description
Descriptive notes. Head-body 141 - 173 mm, tail 45 - 53 mm, hindfoot 24 - — 27 mm; weight 140 - 170 g. The Taiga Vole is large and distinctive, with orange or yellow color near snout and whiskers. Dorsum is dark sepia to bister (brownish yellow), with coarse black hair. Venter is dusky gray. Juveniles are dark gray. Skull is ridged and angular and has large bullae. Nasals and incisive foramina are elongated and narrow. M ” has three closed triangles; M, has two nearly enclosed triangles. Chromosomal complement is 2 n = b 4, FN = 62.
distribution
Distribution. C Alaska, USA, E across Yukon, W Northwest Territories, extreme NW British Columbia, N & C Alberta, N Saskatchewan, and N Manitoba to W Hudson Bay, Canada.
food_feeding
Food and Feeding. Taiga Voles eat cached rhizomes in winter and feed heavily on grasses, horsetail, and berries in summer.
Name
- Synonyms
- Arvicola xanthognathus (Leach 1815)
- Homonyms
- Microtus xanthognathus (Leach 1815)
- Common names
- Campagnol a joues jaunes in French
- Chestnut-cheeked Vole in English
- Gelbwangen-Wihlmaus in German
- Taiga Vole in English
- Topillo de taiga in language.
- Yellow-cheeked Vole in English