Northern Red-Backed Vole
Myodes rutilus
Appearance
Range & habitat
Reciprocal relationships
They are generally nocturnal animals and only come out occasionally during the day. They do not hibernate, but they live on food collected during the summer months to get through the cold northern winters. This rodent has a habit of tunnelling through the subalpine forest floor, nesting in the hollows of tree roots, and turning grass into a ball-shaped nest. They do not live for very long, but they reproduce quickly and thus are the prey of many different animals.
Humans often have negative relationships with voles, as they can dig up plants inside of gardens. However, these voles are important as primary consumers in our ecosystems. So, while they may be seen as pests to us, they still have an important role to play.