Home/Species/ Long-tailed Vole

Microtus longicaudus

(Merriam, 1888)

Long-tailed Vole

G5Secure Found in 9 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →

G5SecureGlobal Rank

Least concernIUCN

Identity

Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.102513

Element CodeAMAFF11060

Record TypeSPECIES

ClassificationSpecies

Classification StatusStandard

Name CategoryVertebrate Animal

IUCNLeast concern

Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations

KingdomAnimalia

PhylumCraniata

ClassMammalia

OrderRodentia

FamilyCricetidae

GenusMicrotus

Other Common Names

Campagnol longicaude (FR) long-tailed vole (EN)

Concept Reference

Wilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder (editors). 1993. Mammal species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference. Second edition. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC. xviii + 1206 pp. Available online at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/msw/.

Taxonomic Comments

Subspecies coronarius formerly was regarded as a distinct species; it was recognized as a subspecies or synonym of M. longicaudus by Jones et al. (1992), Baker et al. (2003), and Musser and Carleton (in Wilson and Reeder 1993, 2005).

Conservation Status

Rank MethodExpertise without calculation

Review Date2016-04-04

Change Date1996-11-13

Range Extent Comments

Western North America; from east-central Alaska south through western Canada and the western U.S. to southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico, east to Colorado. Populations at eastern and southern edges of range generally restricted to high elevations in isolated mountains. Elevational range: sea level to at least 3650 m.

Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Various habitats ranging from dense coniferous forests to rocky alpine tundra, sagebrush semidesert, moist meadows, marshes, and forest-edge habitat; also recently cut or burned forest. Usually does not make well-defined runways.

Ecology

Populations fluctuate dramatically. Population densities are usually relatively low but may build up to 40 or more/ha (Jones et al. 1983). Seldom lives more than 1 year. May be displaced by more aggressive M. MONTANUS (Smolen and Keller 1987).

Reproduction

Breeds mid-May to mid-September in Alaska and Idaho, May-October in Nevada (mostly June-July). Litters/year: 1-4 in Alberta (average 2); maximum of 2 litters during lifetime for Alaska females. Litter size is 2-8; average 4 in Alberta, 5 in Alaska (Smolen and Keller 1987). Young of year breed in Alberta, not in Alaska.

Terrestrial Habitats

Forest - ConiferForest - MixedWoodland - ConiferWoodland - MixedShrubland/chaparralGrassland/herbaceousAlpine

Palustrine Habitats

HERBACEOUS WETLANDRiparian

Other Nations (2)

CanadaN5

Province	Rank	Native
Yukon Territory	S5	Yes
Northwest Territories	SU	Yes
Alberta	S5	Yes
British Columbia	S5	Yes

United StatesN5

Province	Rank	Native
Navajo Nation	S3	Yes
Washington	S5	Yes
Utah	S5	Yes
Nevada	S4	Yes
Colorado	S5	Yes
Oregon	S5	Yes
Montana	S5	Yes
Wyoming	S5	Yes
New Mexico	S4	Yes
California	SNR	Yes
South Dakota	S4	Yes
Idaho	S4	Yes
Alaska	S5	Yes
Arizona	S2	Yes

Roadless Areas (9)

Alaska (2)

Area	Forest	Acres
North Etolin	Tongass National Forest	40,993
Tenakee Ridge	Tongass National Forest	20,527

California (4)

Area	Forest	Acres
East Yuba	Tahoe National Forest	17,968
Hoover - Mt.olsen	Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest	624
Hoover - Virginia Lks	Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest	5,050
Mt. Olsen	Inyo National Forest	2,161

Montana (2)

Area	Forest	Acres
Patricks Knob - North Cutoff	Lolo National Forest	16,970
South Siegel - South Cutoff	Lolo National Forest	13,474

New Mexico (1)

Area	Forest	Acres
West Face Sacramento Mountains	Lincoln National Forest	41,176

References (28)

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