Western heather vole facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Western heather vole |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Phenacomys
|
| Species: |
intermedius
|
 |
|
The western heather vole (Phenacomys intermedius) is a small rodent that looks a bit like a mouse. You can find these voles in the western parts of North America. For a long time, people thought the eastern heather vole was just a type of western heather vole.
Contents
What is a Western Heather Vole?
The western heather vole is a tiny animal. It looks a lot like a meadow vole. These voles have short ears and a thin tail. Their tail is usually lighter in color on the underside.
How Big Are They?
Western heather voles have soft, long fur. Their fur is brownish on top and silver-grey underneath. They are about 14 centimeters (5.5 inches) long. Their tail adds another 3.5 centimeters (1.4 inches) to their length. An adult western heather vole weighs around 40 grams (1.4 ounces). That's about the weight of a small candy bar!
Where Do Western Heather Voles Live?
Western heather voles live in different kinds of places. They like mountain meadows and open areas with shrubs. You can also find them in dry forests where there are bushes for them to hide in. They also live in cold tundra regions. They often stay close to water.
Their Home Range
These voles are found in British Columbia and the Yukon in Canada. They also live in the western United States. In the summer, they dig burrows to live in. When winter comes, they make tunnels under the snow. They are smart and store food all year long to eat later.
What Do Western Heather Voles Eat?
Western heather voles are mostly plant eaters. In the summer, they munch on plant leaves and berries. When winter arrives, they switch to eating tree bark and buds. They also enjoy seeds and fungi.
Who Hunts the Vole?
Many animals like to eat western heather voles. Their main predators include owls and hawks. Other meat-eating mammals also hunt them.
Western Heather Vole Life Cycle
Female western heather voles have babies a few times a year. They usually have 2 or 3 litters. Each litter can have anywhere from 2 to 9 young voles. The mother builds a cozy nest out of grasses for her babies.
When Are They Active?
These voles are active all year long. They do not hibernate in winter. They are also crepuscular. This means they are most active during dawn (early morning) and dusk (early evening).
Why Are Western Heather Voles Important?
The number of western heather voles has gone down in some areas. This is mainly because of clearcutting forests. Clearcutting is when all the trees in an area are cut down. This destroys the places where voles live and find food. Protecting their homes helps these small creatures survive.
