If it looks like a Mouse and squeaks like a Mouse it. . . might be a Vole! This week, we explore Vole tracks and sign, and look at Voles’ historical impacts on PEI. Whether you think these creatures are adorable or you’re musophobic (afraid of them), read on! Let’s start with tracks.
Small tracks can be much harder to identify than larger tracks. In most cases, you can’t see any structure of the foot to help narrow it down. Additionally, size isn’t always helpful, and our most common Voles, Mice, and Shews all have tracks of overlapping sizes. In these cases, I find gait to be the most useful clue. (Wondering about the differences among Voles, Mice, and Shrews? I’ve got you covered here: https://www.pei-untamed.com/post/of-mice-and-moles-voles-and-shrews).
Meadow Vole tracks are most obvious when out in the open (Photo 1). It’s wise to move quickly when you’re low on the food chain and exposed. For this reason, in meadows and fields Voles almost always use a bounding gait to cover ground more quickly. Each imprint here is all four of the animals’ feet, and it was moving toward the bottom of the photo: note the tail imprints and the drag marks left by its feet as it jumped from place to place.
When they’re under cover and feeling safer (beneath trees, for example), Meadow Voles almost always trot. This gait leaves a very regular trail that reminds me of a tire track (Photo 2). Voles do walk, but the trail left by that slower gait is wider than this one – they ride a little lower when moving more slowly – and the individual prints would be closer together.
I like finding Meadow Vole tracks because most of their winter activity is unseen – under the snowpack, in the cozy subnivean layer between ground and snow. Snow provides insulation and protection from freezing temperatures, cold winds, and predators. Hidden from view, Voles build elaborate but temporary accommodations that include sleeping chambers, a food cache, latrine, and tunnels connecting these areas with food sources further afield. With the recent snowmelt, you can find the imprints from these rooms and runs in grassy vegetation (Photo 3).
Cozy living quarters aside, it's not easy being a Vole and the subnivean layer doesn’t provide foolproof protection. Shrews and Weasels are small enough to fit into Vole tunnels and prey on them there. Foxes, Coyotes, and Owls can all hear Voles moving under the snow and crash through to grab dinner.
When Voles venture above the snowpack, they are vulnerable not only to these predators but also to Crows, Ravens, Hawks, Mink, and even Skunks and Raccoons when it’s warm enough for them to be active. One Vole trail led me to the site of its ultimate demise (Photo 4). An avian predator landed from the left (as shown by the tail drag and landing zone), then turned to its left and caught the Vole. I can’t confirm the culprit from this sign, but I suspect either Raven or Red-tailed Hawk as both frequent this area.
Modern-day Vole signs are easy to find, but there were times in the Island’s history when they were impossible to miss. My next post will tell you about that part of PEI untamed!
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