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
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
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.
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.
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, 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 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)
