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 Vole Species 2 - The vole species 2 page gives you access to information about the snow vole, prairie vole, woodland vole, heather vole, sagebrush vole, tundra vole and pine vole.
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Prairie voles are so called because they frequently inhabit tall-grass prairies. They are generally nocturnal but are active during the day in cold weather. Prairie voles use burrows and surface runways to avoid predators.
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These voles for the most part inhabit tall-grass prairies. They live in colonies, utilizing underground burrows and surface runways under lodged vegetation for concealment and protection. In farming regions prairie voles frequently take up winter quarters in shocks of corn and other small grains which offer both food and protection. Their nests are rather large structures and may be placed either above ground or in underground chambers about 12 cm below the surface.
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A prairie vole feeding
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It is rare to get a good look at this species of vole, as they are always wary of predators. If disturbed, prairie voles readily speed down their grassy escape routes back to their underground burrows. They are generally more nocturnal (active at night) during hot weather and more diurnal (active during the day) when the weather is cold. During the day its main predator is the marsh hawk but Prairie voles aren't especially safe at night either, when the night shift of predators, including coyotes and short-eared owls, take over.
Females can reproduce anytime during the season, but the main breeding times are in the spring and fall. The litter size varies from 1 to 7 young, depending on season, age of mother, and availability of food. The young voles are born in a ball-shaped nest of dry grass that is usually underground or in a small depression on the ground's surface.
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The most relevant links we could find, placed here free
 Chicago Wilderness
- This page contains information and interesting facts about the prairie vole. www.chicagowildernessmag.org
University of Kansas
- This profile includes information about the habitat and behaviour of the prairie vole. www.ksr.ku.edu
The babies are born naked and weigh about 3 grams. Within 8 days, their eyes will open. During the first 3 weeks, fur and body growth is rapid, but slows after the voles reach adulthood in 30 days.
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Prairie Voles show great paternal devotion
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Male voles share in the raising of pups. The paternal devotion shown by prairie voles has been tied to a long stretch of repeated DNA snippets near a gene linked to the hormone vasopressin which affects family behaviour in voles.
Male prairie voles with the longest DNA strings spend more time with their mates and pups than male prairie with shorter strings. In fact, they may stay with the female for life, akin to marriage.
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Site written by Richard Wedge