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Microtus californicus

(Peale, 1848)

California Vole

G5Secure Found in 12 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
PSESA Status
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.102779
Element CodeAMAFF11030
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
USESAPS
Other Common Names
California 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
Phylogeographic study using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA suggested the existence of two phylogeographic groups that are largely discordant with the boundaries of 17 currently recognized subspecies; further study may indicate that these two clades represent different species (Conroy and Neuwald 2008). Clade divergence may be associated with ecological differences (Conroy and Neuwald 2008).
Conservation Status
Review Date1996-11-13
Change Date1996-11-13
Range Extent20,000-2,500,000 square km (about 8000-1,000,000 square miles)
Rank Reasons
Common in many areas from Oregon through California to northern Baja California.
Range Extent Comments
Western Oregon south through California to northern Baja California, Mexico.
Ecology & Habitat

Description

Dorsum tawny olive to cinnamon brown, almost black in some areas; venter neutral gray, often with white-tipped hairs; rounded ears project above fur; adult total length 157-214 mm, tail 39-68 mm, hind foot 20-25 mm; incisive foramina not constricted posteriorly (rounded at both ends, widest in the middle) (Hall 1981, Ingles 1965).

Diagnostic Characteristics

Differs from M. LONGICAUDUS in relatively shorter tail (averages less than 1/3 of total length in CALIFORNICUS, 1/3 or more of total length in LONGICAUDUS) and ridged skull. Differs from M. MONTANUS and M. TOWNSENDII in having paler feet (dusky in MONTANUS) and in having the incisive foramina not constricted posteriorly. Differs from M. OREGONI and PHENACOMYS (ARBORIMUS) in having 4 projections on the ligual side of M3 (last upper molar) rather than 3 projections (Ingles 1965); CALIFORNICUS also has longer fur than does M. OREGONI and has unrooted cheek teeth rather than rooted cheek teeth as in PHENACOMYS and CLETHRIONOMYS (Hall 1981).

Habitat

Fresh and brackish marshes; valley grasslands; dry grassy hillsides; upland meadows. Also found in agricultural areas. Occupies underground burrows and surface runways through grass.

Ecology

Populations increase and decline rapidly over a cycle of about 3-4 years. Predators include hawks, owls, weasels, and snakes.

Reproduction

Gestation lasts 21 days. May breed throughout the year but usually little or no reproduction in the summer dry season. Average litter size is 4.2, range 1-9. Young are weaned in 2 weeks.
Terrestrial Habitats
SavannaGrassland/herbaceousCropland/hedgerow
Palustrine Habitats
HERBACEOUS WETLAND
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
OregonS4Yes
CaliforniaSNRYes
Roadless Areas (12)
California (11)
AreaForestAcres
CamuesaLos Padres National Forest8,209
Cow CreekShasta-Trinity National Forest22,627
La BreaLos Padres National Forest14,031
LaddCleveland National Forest5,300
ManzanaLos Padres National Forest2,101
MatilijaLos Padres National Forest5,218
MonoLos Padres National Forest28,141
Red MountainAngeles National Forest8,034
Sawmill - BadlandsLos Padres National Forest51,362
Tepusquet PeakLos Padres National Forest5,821
WestforkAngeles National Forest4,407
Nevada (1)
AreaForestAcres
Jobs Peak (NV)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,342
References (28)
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  2. American Society of Mammalogists (ASM). 2025. Mammal Diversity Database (Version 1.13) [Data set]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10595931. Online. Available: https://www.mammaldiversity.org/
  3. Banks, E. M., R. J. Brooks, and J. Schnell. 1975. A radiotracking study of home range and activity of the brown lemming (<i>Lemmus trimucronatus</i>). Journal of Mammalogy 56:888-901.
  4. Bowman, J. C., M. Edwards, L. S. Sheppard, and G. J. Forbes. 1999. Record distance for a non-homing movement by a deer mouse, <i>Peromyscus maniculatus</i>. Canadian Field-Naturalist 113:292-293.
  5. Brooks, R. J., and E. M. Banks. 1971. Radio-tracking study of lemming home range. Communications in Behavioral Biology 6:1-5.
  6. California Fish and Game Commission and Department of Fish and Game. 1980. At the crossroads, a report on California's endangered and rare fish and wildlife. Dept. of Fish and Game, Sacramento.
  7. Castleberry, S., B., T. L. King, P. B. Wood, and W. M. Ford. 2002. Microsatellite DNA analysis of population structure in Allegheny woodrats (<i>Neotoma magister</i>). Journal of Mammalogy 83:1058-1070.
  8. Conroy, C. J., and J. A. Cook. 2000. Molecular systematics of a Holarctic rodent (<i>Microtus</i>: Muridae). Journal of Mammalogy 81:344-359.
  9. Conroy, C. J., and J. L. Neuwald. 2008. Phylogeographic study of the California vole, <i>Microtus californicus</i>. Journal of Mammalogy 89:755-767.
  10. Douglass, R. J. 1977. Population dynamics, home ranges, and habitat associations of the yellow-cheeked vole, <i>Microtus xanthognathus</i>, in the Northwest Territories. Canadian Field-Naturalist 91:237-47.
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  27. 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/.
  28. Wilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder (editors). 2005. Mammal species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference. Third edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. Two volumes. 2,142 pp. [As modified by ASM the Mammal Diversity Database (MDD) at https://www.mammaldiversity.org/index.html]