Mediterranean Pine Vole (Microtus duodecimcostatus) lives in mediterranean shrubland across Southwestern Europe. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Mediterranean Pine Vole
- In the lowlands of the Iberian Peninsula the vole can reach densities of four hundred to six hundred individuals per hectare, a crowding level that rivals a packed football stadium. Such numbers turn the species into a potential agricultural pest when crops are abundant, because thousands of tiny mouths can strip a field in a single season. Their high density is possible because they breed year-round, producing litters of up to eight young after a gestation of about twenty days. This rapid turnover fuels the population boom that farmers notice during bumper harvests. Recognizing these figures lets growers anticipate vole spikes and apply targeted, eco-friendly controls before damage escalates.
- The vole's lifespan can stretch beyond the typical two-year expectancy; two males were recaptured 33 months after their first capture, marking the longest recorded vole lives. While most individuals fade after about two years, these outliers show that voles can survive well into their third year.
- A Mediterranean pine vole fits in the palm of your hand, measuring just 3.5-4.25 inches (89-108 mm) from head to body and sporting a tail only 0.75-1.75 inches (19-44 mm) long. It tips the scales at about 1 ounce (28 g).
- Despite being listed as "Least Concern" by the IUCN, the vole faces hidden threats from modern pest control; farmers using can cause severe setbacks to local populations.
- Despite being an occasional agricultural pest, the Mediterranean pine vole is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN because its numbers stay stable across its range. The main danger comes from farmer-applied pest controls, which can cause severe setbacks to local populations.
Sources
Every fact above was checked against these pages, and kept only where one of them states it.
At a glance
RangeSouthwestern Europe
HabitatMediterranean shrubland
DietGrass and roots
About the Mediterranean Pine Vole
In the sun-drenched underbrush of the Mediterranean, a tiny, unassuming hero emerges, as the Mediterranean Pine Vole scurries through the dense network of roots and pine needles with an air of quiet purpose. With its velvety fur and large, round eyes, this diminutive creature navigates its subterranean world with ease, its slender body weaving in and out of the shadows as it searches for seeds, fruits, and tender shoots to sustain it. As it moves, the vole's tiny paws barely disturb the forest floor, leaving behind only the faintest whisper of its presence, a testament to its remarkable adaptability in this harsh, beautiful landscape.
Hear the Mediterranean Pine Vole, and 4,400+ more
Real recorded sounds, 11 nature games and a free Daily 5, 1v1 quiz duels, conservation wins and a safe Kids mode. Free on Feravox.
