The Northern Red-Backed Vole Myodes rutilus Pallas, 1779

Subspecies: M. r. jochelsoni

 

The northern red-backed vole. Photograph by Eugene Mamaev

Body length is up to 12 cm, the tail is 2.7-5 cm long.

The habitat is extended– from Karelia to Kamchatka and from the North to the upper reaches of the Volga, Northern Mongolia, Korea and northern Japan. Occupies North America right up to the east coast.

This is an eurybiontic species; inhabits forests, steppes, mountainous terrain. Willingly inhabits dwelling houses.

It can breed in suitable conditions all year round. Breeding period lasts 3 – 5.5 months, in one year can have up to 3 broods. The youngsters can breed as well. One brood may have up to 7 cubs. Fluctuations in number are typical; they can be doubled or tripled.

To Bering Island red vole was brought from Kamchatka, probably with the firewood, after 1880 and already in 1882 according to Leonhard Stejneger it fully populated the island from the northernmost point to the southernmost one. However, it is believed that it could be brought to Bering Island specifically to enrich the nutritive base of the Arctic fox.

Ecology of species on the island is studied badly. The vole is a mass and common species and it can be found everywhere. It is one of the main food items of the snowy owl. The increase of number of snowy owl on Bering Island is associated with its emergence. It is also a food item for the short-eared owl, the rough-legged buzzard, the American mink and the Arctic fox. It is believed that the northern red-backed vole has significantly reduced the number of the wren on the island.

Footprints of a northern red-backed vole on the snow. Photograph by Eugene Mamaev

 

It is known that the northern red-backed vole is an important part of the island cycle of a parasite extremely dangerous for human - helminth Alveococcus