Dream Interpretation Udilova 

Animal mouse vole: a description with a photo, what it eats, what it looks like, how to get rid of it. Types of voles: common, red, forest, underground. Common or gray vole (microtus arvalis) Mice, rats and other rodents in the country and in the garden

Conservation status and conclusion

The common vole is a widespread species, most of whose populations, living in different natural zones, are relatively numerous. The response to human economic activity is not unambiguous. Agricultural transformation of natural landscapes contributes to an increase in the number of the species. In connection with this feature, it was proposed to call the common vole an agrocenophile (Tupikova et al., 2001). During the years of mass reproduction, it can cause significant damage to agriculture, has considerable epidemiological significance, being a carrier of pathogens of tularemia, leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis and other diseases dangerous to humans. In this regard, it is necessary to control the abundance of the species.

Description

The fur color of voles can vary considerably from pale fawn-gray light fawn-brown to darkish gray-brown, sometimes with an admixture of brown-rusty tones. The abdomen is usually lighter: dirty gray, sometimes with a yellowish-ocher bloom. The tail is either single or slightly bicolor. The dorsal fur of the nominal race is brownish-brown. The voles of the "arvalis" form from central Russia are lighter in color, while the darkest coloration is in the "obscurus" form (Ognev, 1950; Malygin, 1983).

The common vole is a small animal. Body length is variable. Weight usually does not exceed 45 g. The tail is 30-40% of the length of the head and body. The average foot is 15.5 mm. The ears are small, round and slightly protruding from the fur. Condylobasal length of the skull on average - 24.5 mm, zygomatic width - 14.0, length in the upper row of molars - ranges from 5-7 mm, the lower - 4-6.5 (Ognev, 1950; Malygin, 1983; Meyer et al., 1996). The ridges on the skull are weakly expressed. Upper M2 with two inward-protruding corners. In the overwhelming majority of individuals, the M3 variant "typica" (Malygin, 1983). Its last posterior lobe does not form a strongly pronounced arcuate bend. The lower M1 has at least 7 closed spaces, rarely 8. There are 6 calluses on the back foot (Ognev, 1950).

Spreading

The range of the species is extensive: from the Atlantic coast in the west to the Mongolian Altai in the east, from the Baltic Sea, Finland, Karelia, the Middle Urals and Western Siberia in the north to the Balkans, the Black Sea and Asia Minor in the south (Malygin, 1983; Baranovsky et al., 1994; Common vole…, 1994; Meyer et al., 1996). The species has been recorded in Transcaucasia and Mongolia. In Russia, the western border of the distribution of the common vole coincides with the state border. In the north of the European part of the country, it goes from Karelia and the Leningrad region. In the south through Moldova and Ukraine to the north of the Caspian lowland and the Caucasus.

biotopes

The range of habitats is varied. A variety of factors can influence the biotopic preference of the common vole. First of all, natural and climatic. So, on the northern outskirts of its range in the zone of taiga forests, the vole (form "obscurus") tends to field and meadow cenoses, reaching 49 and 30.2% of the total population of small mammals, respectively. Settles even in areas around livestock farms. According to Bashenina in 1979, 1980 and 1983. in the foothills of the Urals, the common vole lived in meadows and small agricultural crops, in kitchen gardens, orchards, and clearings. In similar types of biotopes, it was also found in the Trans-Urals. Avoiding dense forests in Western Siberia, the vole is common in sparse birch groves and in thickets of shrubs along rivers (Malygin, 1983). But even here, up to the Irkutsk region, it prefers habitats with a well-developed grass cover (Bashenina, 1968; Shvetsov et al., 1981). In the more southern part of its range, M. a. obscurus tends to wetter biotopes: floodplain meadows, depressions, ravines, irrigated orchards and orchards (Common vole..., 1994). However, it is also common here in xerophilic cenoses: dry steppes, fixed sands outside the desert zone (Nikitina et al., 1972; Tikhonov et al., 1996; Tikhonova et al., 1999). In the foothills of the Caucasus and Transcaucasia, the vole also gravitates towards agricultural land. In this region, it has mastered the slopes of the mountains, populating steppe areas, glades, river valleys, and arable land. It rises to alpine meadows, and lives on rocky areas. "Mountain" populations of this species are found at an altitude of 1800-3000 m above sea level. m .: in high-mountain subalpine and alpine meadows and mountain oak, beech and hornbeam formations (Common vole ..., 1994).

Voles of the "arvalis" form in the very north of the range and in the forest zone demonstrate a biotopic distribution similar to the "obscurus" form, tending to meadow-type cenoses and agricultural lands (Mokeeva and Chentsova, 1981; Dobrokhotov et al., 1985; Teslenko and Zagorodnyuk, 1986 ; Tikhonov et al., 1992; Karaseva et al., 1994; and others). In the zone of broad-leaved forests and forest-steppe, it is often found in sparse forest biotopes, along river valleys, gullies, forest belts.

According to our data, the common vole avoids areas subject to intense anthropogenic pressure and transformation (Tikhonov et al., 1992; 1996, 1998; Tikhonov and Tikhonova 1997; Tikhonov, 1995).

Ecology

The common vole is an ecologically plastic species. Typically herbivorous rodent, whose diet includes a wide range of foods. According to generalized data, voles from different regions usually eat at least 80 plant species, preferring the families of cereals, Asteraceae, and legumes (Common vole..., 1994). There is a seasonal change in food. Propensity to reserve is expressed. In France, animals of the form "arvalis" stocked up to 3 kg (Renierd and Pussard, 1926). Similar food pantries were found in voles in Leningrad oblast. (Gladkina and Chentsova, 1971) and on the territory of Kazakhstan (Gladkina, 1972).

The common vole is a family-colonial species. The family, as a rule, consists of a female and her offspring of the 3rd or 4th generation (Frank, 1954; Bashenina, 1962). In such settlements, the animals dig a complex system of holes and tread a network of paths. In winter they make snow nests on the ground. The common vole is characterized by territorial conservatism, but if necessary, during harvesting and plowing fields, it can migrate to other biotopes, including haystacks, vegetable and granaries (Common vole..., 1994).

The species is characterized by seasonal and annual fluctuations in abundance. The minimum level of abundance of populations was noted in spring. The features of these fluctuations may also have geographic specifics. In the pessimum of the range, long-term depressions in the abundance of the species are possible. In central Russia, they usually alternate with years of high numbers.

Behavior

Ecological features of the common vole determine the ethological structure of its populations. Animals of this species do not form continuous settlements, but live in clearly defined colonies separated from each other and attached to their family groups (Frank, 1954; Bashenina, 1962). In all parts of its range, the species has polyphasic circadian activity. On average, over a 3-hour period, voles observed 2-4 acts of sleep, 3-9 cleanings, 2-6 nest improvement from 6 to 20 feedings and 14-47% of the total activity falls on locomotion (walking, jogging) (common vole ..., 1994; own data).

The pronounced territoriality of voles is also reflected in their social behavior. Intragroup interactions of animals are reduced mainly to simple identification contacts, somewhat less often - friendly (Zorenko, 1978, 1984; own data). An important element of social behavior, indicating the tolerance of individuals to each other, is crowding. Common voles can show aggression towards members of their group. More often this form of behavior is shown by males. Aggression towards other individuals of its own species and, especially, towards East European voles (up to killing) is most acutely manifested. Common voles are very emotional. We noted cases of death of animals due to nervous overstrain during aggressive interactions.

Animals of this species are very cautious and tend to be neophobic (Common vole..., 1994; Fedorovich et al., 2000). Under the experimental conditions, during orienting and exploratory activities, common voles relied more on the sense of smell and less on the vibrissa sense of touch and vision (own data).

reproduction

Depending on weather conditions in different regions of Russia, the reproductive period of common voles usually begins in March–April and ends in September–November (Common vole..., 1994; Tikhonova and Tikhonov, 1995; Tikhonov et al., 1998). In winter, there is usually a pause. But in closed habitats (haystacks, stacks, vegetable and granaries), reproduction can continue in winter. During the reproductive season in nature, female common voles can bring 2-4 broods, in laboratory conditions - more (Common vole ..., 1994; Gladkina, 1996). The size of the litter depends on a number of factors: the age and physical condition of females, the season, living conditions, mating patterns, and many others (Zorenko, 1972; Zorenko and Zakharov, 1986). According to the combined data, the average number of pups in a litter of the common vole is about 5 (Common vole..., 1994). The study of the breeding strategy of this species showed that its natural populations are subject to the size of broods (Tikhonov et al., 1999).

Probably everyone has heard about the common vole. This little rodent is the bane of vegetable gardens and industrial farmland. Possessing the ability to reproduce rapidly, the common vole in a very short time can cause irreparable damage to the backyard.

Description and habitat

The common vole belongs to the hamster family. This one is not large or remarkable in appearance. They are very reminiscent of mice or rats, but have a blunter muzzle and small, rounded ears.

The body length of the vole is small - only 10-12 cm, the tail - up to 5 cm. The maximum weight of the rodent does not exceed 45 g.

The hair on the back, neck and upper part of the head has a gray-brown tint, the abdomen, chin and lower part of the tail are yellowish-grayish. Interestingly, with age, the hairline of a vole tends to lighten, and gray hair can often be observed.

The habitat covers the forest, forest-steppe and steppe zones of the European part of the continent from the shores of the Atlantic to the Altai Mountains. Voles are found in the south of Scandinavia, in Western Siberia and in the Middle Urals. Colonies of these rodents live in the Caucasus, the Balkans, in the Crimea and in the north of Kazakhstan. They feel great in the Mongolian steppes, inhabit Central and Asia Minor.

Despite all the control measures taken by man, common voles remain one of the most common species of rodents.

Common gray vole: features of behavior and lifestyle

They live in family communities in which several adult females and 3-4 generations of their offspring coexist. Despite such a peaceful appearance, male voles are very territorial. So, the possessions of one male are about 1-1.5 km in radius and affect several settlements of females.

Voles are very emotional - they can show both friendliness and open aggression. Quarrelsomeness is mainly observed in males, in some cases, mouse fights end in the death of one of the participants.

To maintain a constant body temperature, voles adhere to a certain regime, which has a cyclical nature. For an interval of 3 hours, these babies have time to sleep 2-4 times, clean their coats from 3 to 9 times, and start repairing and expanding their passages from 2 to 6 times. The number of feedings during the same time varies from 6 to 20.

home of the common vole

It is difficult to imagine a better architect than the common vole. Describing her home is not an easy task. The labyrinths of passages are so ornate and thoughtful, as if they were created not by a small voracious rodent, but by a team of metro construction workers.

Each burrow has a network of narrow corridors that lead to several chambers. The purpose of these peculiar rooms is different: some serve as pantries for stocks of grain and other food, while others - for rest and breeding.

The underground abode of the vole has several levels: on the upper (about 35 cm deep) there are chambers with food, while these mice arrange nests below the floor at a depth of about half a meter.

In winter, the common vole rarely leaves its home. Constantly staying under the ground and snow, this cunning animal took care of the ventilation of its catacombs. For this purpose, voles make narrow (up to 1.5 cm) vertical shafts that can be seen above their colony.

Nutrition

The diet of the vole can be called quite diverse. These small rodents eat nuts, berries, young shoots and roots of about 80 plant species. On occasion, they will not refuse small insects and snails.

Preference is given to cereals and legumes, and in any form: both young sprouts and mature grains are used. In winter, these well-known agricultural pests often live in the basements of private houses and in granaries, and also like to gnaw the trunks of fruit trees, feeding on their young bark.

The damage that the common vole inflicts annually on gardeners is comparable only to a locust raid. To scare away these small rodents, ultrasonic devices are used, as well as plants, the smell of which they cannot stand. These include mint, thuja, garlic. Many also flood discovered holes with water, but this will not rid the garden of the mouse scourge once and for all.

It is good to make 2-3 poles on the site, which will attract birds of prey, as they will be an excellent observation point for them. For example, an owl can destroy up to 1200 small rodents in a year. What can we say about a ferret per day is able to catch 10-12 pieces.

reproduction

To say that the common vole is very prolific is to say nothing. The rate of reproduction under favorable conditions is simply amazing.

The mating season begins with the arrival of spring (March-April) and ends in autumn (November). For a year, one female gives birth 3-4 times. Although some colonies that have chosen a grain barn can breed all year round.

Pregnancy of the female lasts about 20 days, then an average of 5-6 mice are born, absolutely helpless and bald. However, vole offspring develop at an incredible rate. Already at the age of 2 months, the cubs become not only completely independent, but also sexually mature.

The life expectancy of a mouse-vole is very small - a rare individual lives up to one year of age.

There is a lot of interesting information about these rodents:

  • The common vole swims well.
  • If it lives in wetlands, instead of underground burrows, it builds round nests of straw or moss on the branches of a bush.
  • The pantry of this type of hamster can contain up to 3 kg of various supplies.
  • A female vole is able to become pregnant on the 13th day of its own life.
  • The animal can eat as much food per day as it weighs itself.
  • A vole's teeth grow throughout its life.

This tiny creature is not only a great digger and a hated rodent: the common vole is an important link in the food chain of a number of predators, many of which are on the verge of extinction. So, in addition to harm, it also brings benefits in some way. Everything in nature is interconnected.

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Appearance

Small animal; body length is variable, 9-14 cm. Weight usually does not exceed 45 g. The tail is 30-40% of the body length - up to 49 mm. The color of the fur on the back can vary from light brown to darkish gray-brown, sometimes with an admixture of brown-rusty tones. The abdomen is usually lighter: dirty gray, sometimes with a yellowish-buffy coating. The tail is either single or slightly bicolor. The most lightly colored voles from central Russia. There are 46 chromosomes in the karyotype.

Spreading

Distributed in biocenoses and agrocenoses of forest, forest-steppe and steppe zones of continental Europe from the Atlantic coast in the west to the Mongolian Altai in the east. In the north, the border of the range runs along the coast of the Baltic Sea, southern Finland, southern Karelia, the Middle Urals and Western Siberia; in the south - along the Balkans, the coast of the Black Sea, Crimea and the north of Asia Minor. It is also found in the Caucasus and Transcaucasia, in Northern Kazakhstan, in the southeast of Central Asia, on the territory of Mongolia. Found in the Korean Islands.

Lifestyle

In its vast range, the vole gravitates mainly to field and meadow cenoses, as well as to agricultural lands, vegetable gardens, orchards, and parks. It avoids solid forests, although it is found in clearings, clearings and edges, in light forests, in riverine thickets of shrubs, and forest belts. It prefers places with well-developed grass cover. In the southern part of its range, it gravitates towards more humid biotopes: floodplain meadows, gullies, river valleys, although it also occurs in dry steppe areas, on fixed sands outside deserts. In the mountains it rises to subalpine and alpine meadows at an altitude of 1800-3000 m above sea level. Avoids areas subject to intense anthropogenic pressure and transformation.

In warm weather, it is active mainly at dusk and at night; in winter, activity is round-the-clock, but intermittent. Lives in family settlements, as a rule, consisting of 1-5 related females and their offspring of 3-4 generations. The sites of adult males occupy 1200-1500 m² and cover the sites of several females. In their settlements, voles dig a complex system of holes and tread a network of paths, which turn into snowy passages in winter. The animals rarely leave the paths, which allow them to move faster and easier to navigate. The depth of the holes is small, only 20-30 cm. The animals protect their territory from alien individuals of their own and other types of voles (up to killing). During periods of high abundance, colonies of several colonies often form in grain fields and other feeding places.

The common vole is distinguished by territorial conservatism, but if necessary, during harvesting and plowing fields, it can move to other biotopes, including stacks, haystacks, vegetable and granaries, and sometimes to human residential buildings. In winter, it makes nests under the snow, woven from dry grass.

The vole is a typically herbivorous rodent whose diet includes a wide range of foods. Characterized by a seasonal change in diet. In the warm season, prefers the green parts of cereals, Compositae and legumes; occasionally eats mollusks, insects and their larvae. In winter, it gnaws at the bark of shrubs and trees, including berries and fruits; eats seeds and underground parts of plants. Makes food stocks reaching 3 kg.

reproduction

The common vole breeds throughout the warm season - from March-April to September-November. In winter, there is usually a pause, but in closed places (stacks, stacks, outbuildings), if there is enough food, it can continue to breed. In one reproductive season, a female can bring 2-4 broods, a maximum in the middle lane - 7, in the south of the range - up to 10. Pregnancy lasts 16-24 days. The litter has an average of 5 cubs, although their number can reach 15; cubs weigh 1-3.1 g. Young voles become independent on the 20th day of life. They begin to breed at 2 months of age. Sometimes young females become pregnant already on the 13th day of life and bring the first brood at 33 days.

The average life expectancy is only 4.5 months; by October, most of the voles die, the young of the last litters hibernate and start breeding in the spring. Voles are one of the main food sources for many predators -

Dorsal coloration is light gray to dark brown. Sometimes there is an admixture of brown-rusty tones. The tail is one-colored, rarely slightly two-colored. Blackish-brown above, yellowish or whitish below. There are 6 calluses on the foot.

The skull has underdeveloped fronto-parietal ridges. Auditory drums are standard, not enlarged. Rear upper molar with three outer and four inner teeth. Both anterior without additional posterior-internal teeth. In the karyotype 2n= 46.

Biology

Lifestyle. The species reaches its maximum abundance in open habitats in the steppe and forest-steppe zones, including cultivated lands. In the floodplain meadows and cultivated lands, it penetrates deeply into the taiga in the north, and in the south into the semi-desert through moistened biotopes. In the desert zone, it is present only in the mountains up to an altitude of 3000 m above sea level. The species is common on the outskirts of large cities, in park areas, in wastelands, cemeteries and horticultural areas.

In the warm season, the activity of the species is observed at twilight, in winter around the clock, but with interruptions.

Voles are adapted to life in cultivated lands. Often found on crops of winter and spring cereals, perennial grasses. In winter they concentrate in stacks of hay and straw.

In the soil, gray voles dig long and complex burrows. Their area, depth and configuration depend on many factors. In particular, on the type of soil, vegetation cover, season and age of the hole. They represent a system of interlaced underground passages with several food chambers and 1 - 2 nests. The nesting chamber is usually located at a depth not exceeding 25 cm, sometimes up to 50 cm.

In winter, voles can nest on the surface of the soil and under the snow. Winter nests in stacks are large and often serve as a habitat for 10 or more individuals at the same time.

reproduction. Sexual maturity occurs at 16-22 days of age. The species breeds mainly in the warm season, sometimes in haystacks in winter. One female can produce 88 offspring during the year. Pregnancy lasts 19 - 23 days. In one litter 4 - 8, maximum up to 13 cubs.

Profitable animals can participate in breeding. It depends on the weather conditions and the geographic location of the habitat area. The group is characterized by outbreaks of mass reproduction with a rapid recovery in numbers after a decline.

Nutrition. The diet of the species is varied. The main composition of the food eaten varies depending on the nature of the landscape of the biotope and the season. In summer, these are the green parts of plants, in autumn and winter - seeds and roots. Winter stocks are small.

Morphologically related species

Morphologically (appearance) almost identical ( Microtusrossiaemeridionalis). This species is positioned as a twin species, differing from the one described only by the diploid set of chromosomes. Common voles have 46, y - 54. Some sources indicate that Eastern European voles caught in the same place as Common voles may be smaller in size.

In addition, the Mongolian vole ( MicrotusMongolicus), also similar in morphology to the common vole ( Microtus arvalis).

Maliciousness

common vole- a pest of various agricultural crops. Damages cereals, Rosaceae, Compositae, legumes. Cucumbers, cabbage, tomatoes, watermelons, melons are destroyed in greenhouses and vegetable gardens. Willingly eat root crops: beets, carrots, potatoes. In winter, they feed under the snow on strawberries, strawberries, raspberries, mosses, lichens, and gnaw the bark of young trees. Damages seeds in granaries. At the same time, animals are carriers of dangerous infections: plague, tularemia, leptospirosis, brucellosis, toxoplasmosis, erysipeloid, listeriosis, pseudotuberculosis and many others.

Pesticides

Chemical pesticides

Mixing with the bait product (wheat, cut potatoes, carrots, sugar beets or apples), introducing the bait into burrows, other shelters, tubes, bait boxes, boxes with special applicators:

Layout of ready-made baits at food enterprises and at home:

Control measures: deratization measures

Sanitary and epidemiological well-being is due to the successful implementation of the entire range of deratization measures, including organizational, preventive, extermination and sanitary and educational measures to combat rodents.

Organizational events include a set of the following measures:

  • administrative;
  • financial and economic;
  • scientific and methodological;
  • material.

Preventive actions designed to eliminate favorable living conditions for rodents and exterminate them with the help of the following measures:

  • engineering and technical, including the use of various devices that automatically prevent rodents from accessing premises and communications;
  • sanitary and hygienic, including the observance of cleanliness in rooms, basements, on the territories of objects;
  • agro- and forestry, including measures to cultivate the forests of recreational areas to the state of forest parks and maintain these territories in a state free from weeds, fallen leaves, dead and drying trees; the same group of activities includes deep plowing of land in the fields;
  • preventive deratization, including measures to prevent the restoration of the number of rodents with the help of chemical and mechanical means.

The task of carrying out this group of activities lies with legal entities and individual entrepreneurs operating specific facilities and the adjacent territory.

These activities are carried out by legal entities and individual entrepreneurs with special training.

The forest vole is a small mouse-like rodent that is a relative of the hamster.

Forest voles are an important link in the food chain, as they feed on a huge number of predators.

Description of the forest vole

The body length of the forest vole is 8-11 centimeters, the weight ranges from 17 to 35 grams. The length of the tail is 2.5-6 centimeters. The auricles of forest voles are practically invisible. Their eyes are small.

The color of the back is red-orange or rusty-orange. And the belly is white or gray. In winter, the hair becomes thicker and redder. A distinctive feature of forest voles from other species is that their molars have roots. They have 56 chromosomes.

Lifestyle of forest voles

The presence of a huge number of enemies in forest voles made these animals very secretive. During the day they hide in their burrows, under snags, between roots, under fallen leaves. And at night they come out in search of food. They live from 5 months to 1 year. They are active throughout the year.

Forest voles are difficult to spot, but there are many of these animals. Wood voles live in North America and Eurasia. In North America, they live in the Carolinas, Colorado, British Columbia, Labrador, Alaska.


They are distributed everywhere - in deciduous forests, in the taiga, in the fields. Even in a city park, you can hear the rustling of leaves and quiet fuss at night, these are forest voles. They also live in swampy areas of the forest-tundra. They can climb mountains to a height of up to 3 thousand meters.

Wood vole survival tools

Nature did not equip voles with sharp teeth, large claws, or muscular legs, but these animals have found a way to survive - they are extremely prolific.

Annually forest voles produce 3-4 offspring.

At one time, a vole brings about 11 babies. Already at 1.5 months, young voles are also ready for breeding.

One pair of these rodents reproduces up to 1000 times during its life, giving birth to an entire army. This is one of the best means of survival.


The diet of forest voles

The diet of forest voles consists of plant foods. Seeds, tree buds, grass, berries, nuts, mushrooms are used. And in winter they eat bark and lichens. Forest voles crush rough food with large front teeth, which wear down rather quickly. However, the front teeth grow throughout life.

Voles, like other rodents, are voracious. They do not hibernate, so they have to stock up for the winter.

Each vole collects up to 500 grams of seeds.

They crawl into barns and visit grain fields, causing significant damage to agriculture.

But without forest voles, birds of prey would die of starvation. And birds destroy harmful insects. Therefore, by giving part of the harvest to the voles, people save a large share from insect pests.


Forest voles are an important food item for fur-bearing animals, especially martens.

Types of forest voles

In the genus of forest voles, 13 species are distinguished, among them bank voles, red-gray, red-backed voles and Tien Shan voles.

The bank vole or European forest vole does not exceed 11.5 centimeters in length, its weight is 17-35 centimeters. Her back is rusty-brown in color, and her belly is grayish. The tail is two-tone - dark above, and whitish below.

Red voles live in the mountain forests of Europe, in Siberia and Asia Minor. They settle in broad-leaved and mixed forests, preferring linden-oak plantations. They live alone, but in winter they can gather in groups. The bank vole is a numerous species.

The red-gray vole reaches a length of approximately 13.5 millimeters, and its weight ranges from 20 to 50 grams. The upper body of this vole is red-brown, the belly is light gray, and the sides are gray-blue. These rodents live in China, Japan, Finland, Mongolia, Sweden, Norway and Russia. They settle in birch and coniferous forests.