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Savi's woodland vole - PITYMYS SAVII
Class: Animals with Milk Glands (Mammalia)
The Name "Vole": "Vole" comes from the Swedish word "voll," which means "field," short for "field mouse."
Location: Southern Europe.
Habitat: Terrestrial. Pastureland and moist fields.
Description: This vole’s body is reddish brown, sometimes tending to yellowish. The eyes are very small, the ears are almost completely hidden beneath the fur, and the tail is very short. These features occur in many burrowing animals. Length of head and body up to four inches, and the tail is only up to 1.5 inches. It weighs less than one ounce.
Behavior: This vole lives in small colonies. It spends much time building tunnels and nests. It is a fast runner, but rarely climbs or jumps. It is mainly nocturnal, but in some cases it is active by day as well. Its tunnels may be dug near the surface or up to a foot deep. The storerooms it builds are filled with food, and the nesting rooms are lined with dry leaves and grass. The entrances to the burrow are closed off when it snows or rains, and any wet earth is quickly removed. When danger is near the vole emits a whistle.
Reproduction: Gestation lasts about 20 days, after which four to six young are born. Litter follows litter year round, except during the winter months, at roughly 21-day intervals. Female offspring reach sexual maturity at five weeks, while still occasionally nursing.
Go to the Rodents Page to learn more about all the gnawing animals.
Or go to the Vole Index to study other
voles.
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