Fauna
Mammal · GBIF taxon 5706764

Bank Vole

Myodes glareolus

Also known as European Bank Vole, Red-backed Bank Vole

Bank voles scurry through forest floor leaf litter, using intricate networks of underground burrows and surface runways to forage and evade predators. Female voles defend exclusive breeding territories during spring and summer, rearing multiple litters of four to five young in hidden cup-shaped grass nests. Their keen sense of smell guides them to subterranean truffles and fallen tree seeds, making them vital seed dispersers in broadleaf woodlands.

RodentWoodlandMammal
Bank Vole reference
Licensed referenceCharles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Tree Seeds
  • Fungi
  • Small Invertebrates
Predators
  • Tawny Owl
  • Red Fox
  • Stoat
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, agricultural intensification, and predation by feral domestic cats
HabitatsDeciduous and mixed woodlands, hedgerows, scrubland, and overgrown gardens
Life span1–2 years in the wild
Classification
  1. FamilyCricetidae
  2. SpeciesMyodes glareolus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskModerate
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is moderate
Can carry hantaviruses or parasites and may bite if cornered; observe without touching.
Why it is dangerous
Carries Puumala hantavirus in parts of Europe, which can cause nephropathia epidemica in humans via dust contaminated with droppings.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognized by reddish-brown fur, greyish undersides, and a hairy tail half its body length.
What to do
Avoid disturbing rodent nests or dry droppings in sheds without protective face coverings.
Responsible observation
  • Spotting: Look for swift movements among leaf litter and fallen logs in broadleaf woods.
  • Listening: Listen for high-pitched squeaks and soft rustling in brush during dusk hours.
  • Safety: Avoid capturing wild voles to prevent stress, defensive bites, and disease exposure.
Related species
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