Afghan vole facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Afghan vole |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Microtus
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| Species: |
afghanus
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| Synonyms | |
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Blanfordimys afganensis Agadzhanyan and Yatsenko, 1984 |
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The Afghan vole (Microtus afghanus) is a small rodent that belongs to the Cricetidae family. This family also includes hamsters and lemmings. You can find this furry creature in south-central Asia.
What Does the Afghan Vole Look Like?
The Afghan vole has a small, sturdy body. It has a blunt, rounded nose and rounded ears. Its fur color changes depending on where it lives. It can be pale yellow-orange or grayish-yellow. Its short tail is a similar color. The fur on its belly is a creamy gray.
This vole is about 110 millimeters (about 4.3 inches) long. Its tail adds another 30 millimeters (about 1.2 inches). Its foot is 16 millimeters (about 0.6 inches) long. Usually, it has six pads on the sole of its foot, but sometimes it has five. Each Afghan vole cell has 58 chromosomes.
Where Do Afghan Voles Live?
Afghan voles live in many different places across southern Turkmenistan, southern Uzbekistan, and northeastern Iran. They also live in Tajikistan and central Afghanistan. They like semi-desert areas, grassy plains called steppes, and mountains.
Most of the time, they live at heights of 500 to 600 meters (about 1,600 to 2,000 feet) above sea level. But sometimes, they can be found as high as 1,700 meters (about 5,600 feet). In Afghanistan, they have been seen at even higher places, up to 3,400 meters (about 11,000 feet).
How Do Afghan Voles Live?
These voles prefer dry lands, rough grasslands, and areas with bushes. They mostly eat the green parts of plants. But they also enjoy seeds, fruits, flowers, and roots. They are very good at preparing for winter. They can store up to 4.5 kilograms (about 10 pounds) of food!
Afghan voles are social animals. They live together in groups and build amazing, complex burrows. These burrow systems can cover a large area, sometimes as much as 180 square meters (about 1,900 square feet). A single burrow system can have anywhere from 20 to 145 entrance holes. Inside, you might find four to ten voles living together.
They have babies during the autumn, winter, and spring. They usually take a break from having babies during the dry summer months. A mother vole can have between one and ten babies at a time. In some years, their numbers can grow a lot!
