Red-backed voles, Myodes gapperi, range from British Columbia to mainland Newfoundland and throughout the northern United States from the Rocky Mountains to the Appalachians.
Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )
Red-backed voles destroy harmful insect larvae and are also a major source of food for fur-bearing animals. They have been found to be important in some areas as agents in transporting and burying seeds, although some seeds are obviously eaten.
Red-backed voles may damage or kill tree seedlings, and they also eat a large number of seeds. This has been of little economic importance to humans, however.
Populations of Myodes gapperi often fluctuate widely from year to year but with no apparent periodicity. Numbers are fairly low in most of the species range, however, with an average of approximately 2 to 3 voles per acre in favorable habitat.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
State of Michigan List: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
Communication in these animals has not been thoroughly described. Some vocalizations are used. When disturbed, red-backed voles utter a chirplike bark that can be heard 1 to 2 m away. They also gnash or chatter their teeth.
In addition, visual cues such as body posture may be of some importance in interactions with members of the same species.
The role of chemical signals in these animals remains unknown, although it is likley that some information is transmitted through scents.
Tactile communication is important in aggression, as well as in the relationship between a mother and her offspring.
Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
These animals are likely to play some role in local food webs. As a prey item, these voles provide food for many other species. As predators, they may have a great impact on some insect populations. In addition, they help to disperse seeds.
Red-backed voles are opportunistic feeders and change their diet as the seasons progress. They eat leaf petioles and young shoots in the spring, add fruits and berries to their diet in the summer, and then switch to nuts and seeds in the autumn. They also consume some bark, roots, lichens, fungi, and insects. They sometimes store food in their nests for use in the winter when it becomes difficult to forage, although they continue to forage for seeds, tree roots, and bark under the snow.
Animal Foods: insects
Plant Foods: leaves; roots and tubers; wood, bark, or stems; seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit; flowers
Other Foods: fungus
Foraging Behavior: stores or caches food
Primary Diet: herbivore (Folivore , Frugivore , Granivore )
Red-backed voles inhabit cool, mossy and rocky boreal forests in both dry and moist areas. They also inhabit tundra and bogs. Coniferous forests are preferred habitat, although deciduous or mixed coniferous/deciduous woods are also accepted. Nests are generally constructed under the roots of stumps, logs, or brush piles, but may be located in holes or branches of trees high above the ground.
Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: tundra ; taiga ; forest
Red-backed voles can live in the wild to be 20 months. However, most voles only live as long as 12 to 18 months
Range lifespan
Status: wild: 20 (high) months.
Typical lifespan
Status: wild: 12 to 18 months.
The head and body length of red-backed voles varies between 70 and 112 mm. The tail is 25 to 60 mm long. Weights between 6 and 42 g have been recorded.
Red-backed voles have dense, long, soft fur in winter but this changes to shorter, coarser fur in summer. The general coloration above is dark gray with a pronounced chestnut brown stripe running along the back from head to tail. Face and sides appear yellowish brown and the underparts are dark slate gray to almost white. Males and females are similar in size and color, and young animals tend to be darker than adults.
Range mass: 6 to 42 g.
Average mass: 20.57 g.
Range length: 70 to 112 mm.
Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Red-backed voles are almost certainly eaten by a number of predatory species. Owls, hawks, mustelids, black bears, Canada lynx, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, and wolves are all likely predators of these small rodents.
Known Predators:
Anti-predator Adaptations: cryptic
The mating system of these animals has not been described.
Breeding may begin as early as late winter and continue to late fall, so that females are generally able to rear 2 or 3 litters each year. Gestation is 17 to 19 days, and litter size is from 1 to 11 young, although the average is 3 to 7, depending on environmental conditions.
Offspring are born naked and blind. They are able to stand when 4 days old, have fur by day 8, open their eyes by 15 days and are weaned at 17 to 21 days. Sexual maturity occurs at approximately 3 months. Average life span in the wild is 10 to 12 months, with a maximum reported longevity of 20 months.
Breeding interval: Breeding occurs every 1.5 months during warm weather.
Breeding season: Breeding season extends from March through November.
Range number of offspring: 1 to 11.
Average number of offspring: 3-7.
Range gestation period: 17 to 19 days.
Range weaning age: 17 to 21 days.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 3 months.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 3 months.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization ; viviparous
The parental behavior of these animals has not been described. However, because they are mammals, we know that the mother provides some care for the young. Mothers nurse their offspring for 17 to 21 days after birth, and provide the young with a protective nest in which to live. It is not known whether males help to care for the young.
Parental Investment: altricial ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female)
Myodes gapperi ye una especie de rucador de la familia Cricetidae.
Alcuéntrase en Canadá y el norte de los Estaos Xuníos y vive principalmente nos montes de coníferes, árboles caducifolios y montes mistos, de normal cerca de güelgues.
Son omnívoros alimentándose de plantes verdes, hongos soterraños, granes, frutos secos, raigaños, amás d'inseutos, cascoxos y bagues.[2]
.Myodes gapperi ye una especie de rucador de la familia Cricetidae.
Myodes gapperi és una espècie de rosegador de la família dels cricètids. Viu al Canadà i els Estats Units. El seu hàbitat natural són les zones mèsiques situades a boscos de coníferes, caducifolis o mixtos. Es creu que no hi ha cap amenaça significativa per a la supervivència d'aquesta espècie.[1]
L'espècie fou anomenada en honor del metge i naturalista britànic Anthony Gapper.[2]
Myodes gapperi és una espècie de rosegador de la família dels cricètids. Viu al Canadà i els Estats Units. El seu hàbitat natural són les zones mèsiques situades a boscos de coníferes, caducifolis o mixtos. Es creu que no hi ha cap amenaça significativa per a la supervivència d'aquesta espècie.
L'espècie fou anomenada en honor del metge i naturalista britànic Anthony Gapper.
Die Nordamerikanische Rötelmaus (Myodes gapperi) ist ein in Nordamerika lebendes Nagetier (Rodentia) innerhalb der Gattung der Rötelmäuse (Myodes). In der Literatur ist die Art zuweilen als Clethrionomys gapperi zu finden.
Die Nordamerikanische Rötelmaus ist eine kleine Wühlmaus mit kastanienbrauner bis gelblich brauner Behaarung auf der Oberseite. Die Bauchhaare zeigen zuweilen weißliche Spitzen, wodurch ein silbriges Aussehen entsteht. Das Sommerfell ist dunkler als das Winterfell. Der Schwanz ist zweifarbig, mit schwarzbrauner Ober- sowie weißlicher Unterseite und dünner Behaarung. Messungen ergaben eine Gesamtlänge der Tiere zwischen 116 und 172 Millimetern, wobei eine Schwanzlänge zwischen 30 und 50 Millimetern festgestellt wurde. Das Gewicht variiert sehr stark und liegt zwischen 6 und 42 Gramm.[1] Die Zahnformel lautet I1/1-C0/0-P0/0-M3/3, insgesamt 16.
Die Polarrötelmaus (Myodes rutilus) unterscheidet sich durch einen buschig behaarten Schwanz. Da diese Art nur in Alaska, dem Norden Kanadas sowie im Norden Eurasiens vorkommt, gibt es keine geographische Überlappung mit der Nordamerikanischen Rötelmaus. Auch die sehr ähnliche Rötelmaus (Myodes glareolus) kommt in Nordamerika nicht vor. Die Westamerikanische Rötelmaus (Myodes californicus) unterscheidet sich durch die überwiegend graue Behaarung.
Nordamerikanische Rötelmäuse kommen im Süden und Südosten Kanadas sowie im Norden der USA verbreitet vor. Die südlichsten Verbreitungsspitzen reichen bis New Mexico sowie in den Norden von Georgia. Sie leben bevorzugt in Nadel-, Laub- und Mischwäldern mit reichlich Bruchholz, verrottenden Stämmen und freiliegenden Wurzeln. Sie kommen ebenfalls in Tannenmooren, Tundragebieten, Strauchgemeinschaften, auf Felskämmen sowie in Prärielandschaften vor.[1] Die Art ist in viele Unterarten aufgegliedert und wird von der Weltnaturschutzorganisation IUCN als „Least Concern = nicht gefährdet“ klassifiziert.[2]
Die Nordamerikanische Rötelmaus ist überwiegend nachtaktiv. Sie lebt in unterirdischen Höhlen, die sie gerne übernehmen, wenn sie von anderen kleinen Säugetieren verlassen wurden. Selbst gebaute Nester sind einfach, meist kugelförmig und werden mit Gras, Moos und trockenen Blättern ausgekleidet. Tunnelsysteme oder Laufwege werden in der Regel nicht selbst angelegt, sondern es werden bereits vorhandene genutzt.[1]
Nordamerikanische Rötelmäuse sind Allesfresser, die ihre Ernährung je nach Jahreszeit und Verfügbarkeit ausrichten. So nehmen sie Grünpflanzen, Nüsse, Samen, Beeren, Früchte, Moose, Flechten, Farne, Pilze, Wurzeln, Rinde sowie auch Gliederfüßer (Arthropoda) als Nahrung an.[1]
Die Brutzeit dauert ca. sieben Monate und reicht vom Ende des Winters bis zum Herbst. Ein Weibchen wirft zwei bis acht Junge, die nach einer Tragzeit von 17 bis 19 Tagen geboren werden. Sie werden bereits nach zwei bis vier Monaten geschlechtsreif.[1]
Die Nordamerikanische Rötelmaus hat eine Vielzahl von Fressfeinden. In Minnesota wird sie in erster Linie vom Hermelin (Mustela erminea) erbeutet, während sie in Alberta vornehmlich vom Breitflügelbussard (Buteo platypterus) geschlagen wird.[1]
Die Nordamerikanische Rötelmaus (Myodes gapperi) ist ein in Nordamerika lebendes Nagetier (Rodentia) innerhalb der Gattung der Rötelmäuse (Myodes). In der Literatur ist die Art zuweilen als Clethrionomys gapperi zu finden.
De noardlike reade wrotmûs (Latynske namme: Myodes gapperi) is in sûchdier út it skift fan 'e kjifdieren (Rodentia), de famylje fan 'e wrotmûseftigen (Cricetidae) en it skaai fan 'e reade wrotmûzen (Myodes), dat foarkomt yn Kanada en de noardlike Feriene Steaten. Oer de namme kin maklik betizing ûntstean, mei't dizze soarte yn it Ingelsk de southern red-backed vole neamd wurdt, wylst de lytse reade wrotmûs (Myodes rutilus) yn it Ingelsk de northern red-backed vole is. De noardlike reade wrotmûs is nau besibbe oan 'e Kalifornyske reade wrotmûs (Myodes californicus), dy't mear nei it súdwesten ta libbet.
De noardlike reade wrotmûs hat trochinoar in kop-romplingte fan 12-16½ sm, mei in sturtlingte fan sa'n 4 sm en in gewicht dat útinoar rinne kin fan 6-42 g, mei in gemiddelde fan 20⅔ g. It is in koart, rank bistke mei in brunige pels dêr't oer de rêch in readige streek trochhinne rint. De fangen en de kop binne grizich brún, wylst de bealch noch bleker útskaait.
Noardlike reade wrotmûzen libje yn nulle-, leaf- en mingde wâlden, en jouwe de foarkar oan in wat fochtich biotoop. It binne omnivoaren, dy't griene planten frette, mar ek skimmels, sied, nuten, woartels, beien, ynsekten en slakken. Faak lizze se foarrieden oan fan hâldber fretten, lykas nuten. Se binne it hiele jier rûn aktyf, mar almeast nachts. De wyfkes krije jiers 2-4 nêsten fan elk 2-8 jongen; dêrfoar brûke se de ûndergrûnske hoalen dy't troch oare bisten groeven binne. De gefaarlikste rôfdieren foar noardlike reade wrotmûzen binne hauken, ûlen en ferskate soarten martereftigen.
De noardlike reade wrotmûs (Latynske namme: Myodes gapperi) is in sûchdier út it skift fan 'e kjifdieren (Rodentia), de famylje fan 'e wrotmûseftigen (Cricetidae) en it skaai fan 'e reade wrotmûzen (Myodes), dat foarkomt yn Kanada en de noardlike Feriene Steaten. Oer de namme kin maklik betizing ûntstean, mei't dizze soarte yn it Ingelsk de southern red-backed vole neamd wurdt, wylst de lytse reade wrotmûs (Myodes rutilus) yn it Ingelsk de northern red-backed vole is. De noardlike reade wrotmûs is nau besibbe oan 'e Kalifornyske reade wrotmûs (Myodes californicus), dy't mear nei it súdwesten ta libbet.
The southern red-backed vole or Gapper's red-backed vole (Clethrionomys gapperi) is a small slender vole found in Canada and the northern United States. It is closely related to the western red-backed vole (Clethrionomys californius), which lives to the south and west of its range and which is less red with a less sharply bicolored tail.
These voles have short slender bodies with a reddish band along the back and a short tail. The sides of the body and head are grey and the underparts are paler. There is a grey color morph in the northeast part of their range. They are 12–16.5 cm (4.7–6.5 in) long with a 4 cm tail[2] and weigh about 6–42 g; average 20.6 g (0.21–1.48 oz; average 0.72 oz).[3] They are active year-round, mostly at night. They use burrows created by other small animals, such as squirrels and groundhogs.
These animals are found in coniferous, deciduous, and mixed forests, often near wetlands. They use runways through the surface growth in warm weather and tunnel through the snow in winter. They are omnivorous feeding on green plants, underground fungi, seeds, nuts, roots, also insects, snails, and berries.[2] They store roots, bulbs, and nuts for later use.
Predators include hawks, owls, and mustelids.
Female voles have two to four litters of two to eight young in a year.[2]
The southern red-backed vole or Gapper's red-backed vole (Clethrionomys gapperi) is a small slender vole found in Canada and the northern United States. It is closely related to the western red-backed vole (Clethrionomys californius), which lives to the south and west of its range and which is less red with a less sharply bicolored tail.
Myodes gapperi es una especie de roedor de la familia Cricetidae.
Se encuentra en Canadá y el norte de los Estados Unidos y vive principalmente en los bosques de coníferas, árboles caducifolios y bosques mixtos, normalmente cerca de humedales.
Son omnivoros alimentándose de plantas verdes, hongos subterráneos, semillas, frutos secos, raíces, además de insectos, caracoles y bayas.[2]
Myodes gapperi es una especie de roedor de la familia Cricetidae.
Myodes gapperi Myodes generoko animalia da. Karraskarien barruko Arvicolinae azpifamilia eta Cricetidae familian sailkatuta dago.
Myodes gapperi Myodes generoko animalia da. Karraskarien barruko Arvicolinae azpifamilia eta Cricetidae familian sailkatuta dago.
Clethrionomys gapperi • Campagnol à dos roux de Gapper, Campagnol de Grapper
Le Campagnol à dos roux de Gapper (Myodes gapperi) (anciennement Clethrionomys gapperi), est une espèce de petits rongeurs de la famille des Cricétidés. Ce campagnol vit au Canada et au nord des États-Unis.
Le campagnol à dos roux de Gapper et aussi connu sous le nom de campagnol de Grapper[1].
Il vit dans les zones mésiques des forêts de conifères, des forêts mixtes et des forêts décidues. On peut aussi le trouver dans les tourbières, les prairies mésiques et dans la toundra[2].
Il se reproduit mieux dans les forêts anciennes[3].
La période de reproduction se déroule entre janvier et novembre. La gestation entre 17 et 19 jours. Les portées comprennent entre 1 et 9 petits. Les femelles adultes sont territoriales[2].
Clethrionomys gapperi • Campagnol à dos roux de Gapper, Campagnol de Grapper
Le Campagnol à dos roux de Gapper (Myodes gapperi) (anciennement Clethrionomys gapperi), est une espèce de petits rongeurs de la famille des Cricétidés. Ce campagnol vit au Canada et au nord des États-Unis.
Gaperio pelėnas (lot. Clethrionomys gapperi, angl. Southern Red-backed Vole) – žiurkėninių (Cricetidae) šeimos graužikas.
Šis straipsnis apie zoologiją yra nebaigtas. Jūs galite prisidėti prie Vikipedijos papildydami šį straipsnį. De noordelijke rosse woelmuis (Myodes gapperi) is een zoogdier uit de familie van de Cricetidae. De wetenschappelijke naam van de soort werd voor het eerst geldig gepubliceerd door Vigors in 1830.
De soort komt voor in Canada en de Verenigde Staten.
Bronnen, noten en/of referentiesDe noordelijke rosse woelmuis (Myodes gapperi) is een zoogdier uit de familie van de Cricetidae. De wetenschappelijke naam van de soort werd voor het eerst geldig gepubliceerd door Vigors in 1830.
Multimedia w Wikimedia Commons Nornica amerykańska[3] (Myodes gapperi) – gatunek gryzonia z podrodziny karczowników, występujący w Ameryce Północnej[2][4].
Gatunek ten opisał naukowo w 1830 roku przez N.A. Vigors na podstawie okazów pochodzących z Ontario. Gryzonie te są spokrewnione z nornicami rudogrzbietymi (M. rutilus), ale reprezentują odrębny gatunek[4].
Zwierzęta te zamieszkują południową Kanadę, półwysep Labrador i północne Stany Zjednoczone; południowa granica obszaru występowania obejmuje Wielkie Równiny i Appalachy. Optymalnym środowiskiem dla nich jest poszycie leśne w lasach szpilkowych, z dużą ilością omszonych pni i gęstymi korzeniami. Zamieszkują także prerie, tundrę i torfowiska; na południu spotykane są w terenie skalistym, zamieszkują także mury porzucone przez ludzi. Są to zwierzęta głównie roślinożerne, choć jadają także grzyby i owady; w Kolorado stwierdzono, że latem nornice te jedzą niemal wyłącznie grzyby[2].
Są aktywne cały rok. Gnieżdżą się pod korzeniami i kłodami drewna, czasem używając w tym celu nor kretów i innych małych zwierząt. Rozmnażają się od połowy stycznia po listopad. Ciąża trwa 17-19 dni, w miocie jest od jednego do dziewięciu młodych. Młode samice rodzą 1–4 razy w roku, starsze do 6. Terytoria tych zwierząt obejmują od 0,25 do 3,5 akra[2].
Zwierzęta te osiągają długość 116–172 mm, przy masie ciała od 6 do 42 g[5].
Ze względu na bardzo szeroki zasięg występowania, jest to gatunek najmniejszej troski. Nie wykazują cyklicznych zmian liczebności[2].
Nornica amerykańska (Myodes gapperi) – gatunek gryzonia z podrodziny karczowników, występujący w Ameryce Północnej.
Clethrionomys gapperi[2][3][4][5][6][7] är en däggdjursart som först beskrevs av Nicholas Aylward Vigors 1830. Den ingår i släktet skogssorkar och familjen hamsterartade gnagare.[8][9] Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life.[8]
En liten skogssork med en kroppslängd (utan svans) mellan 7 och 11 cm, en svanslängd på 2,5 till 6 cm och en vikt mellan 6 och 42 g. Pälsen på ovansidan är mörkgrå med ett tydligt, rödbrunt band längs ryggen. Ansikte och sidor är gulbruna, och buken varierar från mörkgrå till nästan vit. Vinterpälsen är tydligt längre och mjukare än sommarpälsen, och ungdjur är i regel mörkare än äldre djur.[10] Öronen är bruna, nos och ben är korta.[11]
Arten är en övervägande nattaktiv sork som lever i tempererade skogar med klippor eller mossa, och gärna stubbar och murkna stammar som marktäckning. Den kan förekomma i både löv-, bland- och barrskog, men föredrar barrskog med mossa och trädrötter. Arten kan även förekomma på tundra, mossar, träskmarker, prärier och buskmarker. Hemområdet omfattar mellan 0,1 till 1,5 hektar. Vuxna honor hävdar revir.[1] Boet inrättas vanligen under stubbar och rötter, men kan även inrättas i trädhål högt ovan marken.[10]
Födan varierar med årstiderna: På våren kan sorken äta skott och späda stjälkar, för att övergå till frukt och bär under sommaren samt nötter och frön under hösten. Vintertid tar den bark, frön och rötter under snötäcket, men den kan också leva av insamlade förråd. Det förekommer även att arten tar svamp, lavar, insekter[10] och snäckor[11]. Speciellt i västra USA kan sommardieten till mycket stor del utgöras av svamp.[1]
Själv utgör arten byte åt ett flertal predatorer som kanadensiskt lodjur, rödlo, prärievarg, varg, räv, svartbjörn, mårddjur, hökfåglar och ugglor.[10]
Clethrionomys gapperi parar sig mellan mitten av januari och slutet av november. Under denna tid kan honan få upp till 6 kullar (2 till 4 för unga honor) med 1 till 9 ungar i varje efter en dräktighetstid mellan 17 och 19 dagar. Ungarna dias tills de är 17 till 21 dagar gamla, och blir könsmogna vid 3 månaders ålder. Arten kan leva i upp till 20 månader.[10]
Utbredningsområdet omfattar Kanada från British Columbia till Newfoundland[10] samt i USA söderut till sydvästra Arizona och New Mexico samt österut genom Appalacherna till norra Georgia.[1]
IUCN kategoriserar arten globalt som livskraftig. Populationen är stabil, arten är vanligt förekommande, och inga större hot är kända.[1]
Wikimedia Commons har media som rör Clethrionomys gapperi.
Wikispecies har information om Clethrionomys gapperi.
Clethrionomys gapperi är en däggdjursart som först beskrevs av Nicholas Aylward Vigors 1830. Den ingår i släktet skogssorkar och familjen hamsterartade gnagare. Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life.
Myodes gapperi là một loài động vật có vú trong họ Cricetidae, bộ Gặm nhấm. Loài này được Vigors mô tả năm 1830.[2]
Bài viết liên quan đến họ gặm nhấm Cricetidae này vẫn còn sơ khai. Bạn có thể giúp Wikipedia bằng cách mở rộng nội dung để bài được hoàn chỉnh hơn. Myodes gapperi là một loài động vật có vú trong họ Cricetidae, bộ Gặm nhấm. Loài này được Vigors mô tả năm 1830.
남부붉은등밭쥐 또는 가퍼붉은등밭쥐(Myodes gapperi)는 비단털쥐과에 속하는 설치류이다.[2] 캐나다와 미국 북부 지역에서 발견되는 가늘고 작은 밭쥐이다. 서부붉은등밭쥐(Myodes californius)의 근연종으로 분포 지역 남부와 서부에서 서식한다.[1]
짧고 가늘며 긴 몸을 갖고 있으며 등을 따라 불그스레한 띠가 있고, 꼬리가 짧다. 옆구리와 머리는 회색이고 배 쪽은 연한 색을 띤다. 분포 지역의 북동부 지역 개체군은 회색을 띤다. 꼬리 길이는 12~16.5cm이고,[3] 몸무게는 약 6~42g, 평균 몸무게는 20.6g이다.[4]
침엽수림과 낙엽림, 혼합림, 그리고 습지 근처에서 발견된다. 날씨가 따뜻할 때는 땅 위 식물 사이의 통로를 사용하고, 겨울에는 눈 속 통로를 사용한다. 잡식성 동물로 녹색 식물과 땅 아래 버것류, 씨앗, 견과류, 뿌리를 먹고 곤충과 민달팽이, 장과 등도 먹는다.[3] 나중에 사용하기 위해 뿌리와 구근, 견과류 등을 저장한다. 포식자는 매와 올빼미, 족제비 등이다. 암컷 밭쥐는 1년 동안 2~4번에 걸쳐 2~8마리의 새끼를 낳는다.[3] 연중 활동적이고 주로 밤에 활동한다. 다른 작은 동물들이 만든 땅 아래 굴을 사용한다.
남부붉은등밭쥐 또는 가퍼붉은등밭쥐(Myodes gapperi)는 비단털쥐과에 속하는 설치류이다. 캐나다와 미국 북부 지역에서 발견되는 가늘고 작은 밭쥐이다. 서부붉은등밭쥐(Myodes californius)의 근연종으로 분포 지역 남부와 서부에서 서식한다.
짧고 가늘며 긴 몸을 갖고 있으며 등을 따라 불그스레한 띠가 있고, 꼬리가 짧다. 옆구리와 머리는 회색이고 배 쪽은 연한 색을 띤다. 분포 지역의 북동부 지역 개체군은 회색을 띤다. 꼬리 길이는 12~16.5cm이고, 몸무게는 약 6~42g, 평균 몸무게는 20.6g이다.
침엽수림과 낙엽림, 혼합림, 그리고 습지 근처에서 발견된다. 날씨가 따뜻할 때는 땅 위 식물 사이의 통로를 사용하고, 겨울에는 눈 속 통로를 사용한다. 잡식성 동물로 녹색 식물과 땅 아래 버것류, 씨앗, 견과류, 뿌리를 먹고 곤충과 민달팽이, 장과 등도 먹는다. 나중에 사용하기 위해 뿌리와 구근, 견과류 등을 저장한다. 포식자는 매와 올빼미, 족제비 등이다. 암컷 밭쥐는 1년 동안 2~4번에 걸쳐 2~8마리의 새끼를 낳는다. 연중 활동적이고 주로 밤에 활동한다. 다른 작은 동물들이 만든 땅 아래 굴을 사용한다.
