The 'Singing Vole', '''Microtus miurus''', is a medium-sized
vole found in northwestern
North America, including
Alaska and northwestern
Canada.
They have short ears and a short tail. Their fur is pale grey or pale brown with grey underparts. They are 13 cm long with a 3 cm tail and weigh about 41 g.
These animals are found in
tundra regions above the
tree line. They make runways through the surface growth and underground burrows. They also sometimes forage in low bushes. They are usually found in colonies. They feed on arctic plants such as
lupines,
sedges,
horsetails and
willows. They store food in their burrows for winter, often leaving stacks of grasses out on rocks to dry.
This species gets its common name from its warning call, a high-pitched trill, usually given from the entrance of its burrow.
The female vole has three litters, usually of 7 to 9 young.
They are active year-round.
References
★ Musser, G. G. and M. D. Carleton. 2005. Superfamily Muroidea. Pp. 894-1531 ''in'' Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.
★