A to Z of Pests

Bank Vole

Clethrionomys glareolus

Appearance

• Adults: head and body 80 to 120mm; tail 35 – 60mm, with a weight of 15 to 40g.
• Adults have red-brown fur on their backs; younger individuals have grey–brown fur.
• They also have creamy beige under–parts.
• They have small eyes and ears, and a blunt nose.

Lifecycle

• They breed from March to October. An average of four young are born after a gestation period of 18 to 20 days.
• The young are independent after four weeks.
• They can live for up to 18 months.

Habits

• Their favoured habitat is woodland, but they are also found in grassland and hedgerows.
• They are active during both the night and day.