Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassMammalia
OrderRodentia
FamilyCricetidae
GenusMicrotus
Other Common Names
Campagnol de Townsend (FR) Townsend's 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/.
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2016-04-04
Change Date1996-11-13
Range Extent Comments
Triangle Island, British Columbia, south to Humbolt Bay, California; east in British Columbia to Chilliwack; in Washington to Sauk, Nisqually Flats, and Clark County; in Oregon to Salem, Eugene, and Prospect. Sea level to about 1830 m in Olympic Mountains, to about 915 m in Cascades, Oregon.
Ecology & Habitat
Habitat
Salt and fresh marshes, moist meadows (sometimes dry grass), wetlands along streams; alpine and subalpine meadows. Constructs extensive underground burrow systems and runways through grass. Burrow entrance may be underwater. Nests may be on or below soil surface.
Ecology
Density up to several hundred per ha during population peaks.
Reproduction
Length of breeding season depends on stage in multiannual abundance cycle. Gestation lasts 21-24 days. Litter size averages 4-7 in different areas. In captivity, young are weaned at 15-17 days, first estrus at 35-80 days (Cornely and Verts 1988).
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