Clethrionomys gapperi
Southern Red-backed Vole
Species Description
Head and body length: 3 3/4 - 4 2/3in. (70 – 118mm.)
Tail length: 1 – 2 1/3in. (25 – 60mm.)
Weight: 1/2 – 1 1/2oz. (14 – 42g.)
Physical characteristics: Clethrionomys gapperi is a relatively small mouse. Its most
distinguishing characteristic is probably the rusty-red colored band running from its eyes
to the start of its bicolored tail (brown above and whitish below). The sides are grayish in
color and the belly varies from white to silver. (Linzey, D.; Brecht, C. 11/4/03.,
Ballenger, L. 11/3/03., Red-backed Vole – Clethrionomys gapperi.)
Distribution
The Southern Red-backed Vole occurs throughout much of the southern 2/3 of Canada
and the northern portion of the U.S. Their range extends further south only through the
Rocky Mountains down to New Mexico and through the Appalachian Mountains down
into Tennessee. In Wisconsin, Clethrionomys gapperi has been found throughout most of
the southern half of the state. It has been found as far north as the Wausau area and the
Green Bay area. (Arthur, A. 1983., Jones, J. and Birney, E. 1988., Ballenger, L. 11/3/03. )
Reproduction
Clethrionomys gapperi has a breeding period ranging from early spring into late fall,
normally producing 2-3 litters each year. Each litter averaging 3-8 offspring. The
newborns are naked and pink with their eyes and ears remaining shut for 10-15 days.
Gestation normally lasts for 17-19 days. Newborns will reach sexual maturity within 2-3
months. Life expectancy for the Southern Red-backed Vole is approximately 20 months.
(Linzey, D., Brecht, C. 11/4/03., Ballenger, L. 11/3/03., Red-backed Vole, 11/4/04.)
Ecology and Behavior
Habitat: Southern Red-backed Voles prefer cool, damp, wooded areas among rocks,
mossy logs, hillsides, and streams. They are known to inhabit deciduous or mixed forests,
but prefer coniferous forests. Mobility persists of traveling above and below ground in
natural runways. Clethrionomys gapperi builds its nest hidden in holes, above ground in
trees, and under rocks, logs, and brush. (Linzey, D., Brecht, C. 11/4/03., Ballenger, L.
11/3/03., Arthur, A. 1983.)
Diet: The diet of the Southern Red-Backed Vole consists of green vegetation, berries,
nuts, seeds, fungus, and insects. This depends on what is available at the time. They are
said to eat mainly green vegetation in the spring; green vegetation, fruits, and berries in
the summer; and mostly nuts and seeds in the fall. In some places, such as Northern
Ontario, their diet can be made up of mostly fungus throughout the year. (Martel, M.
1981., Orrock, J., Pagels, J. 2002., Linzey, D., Brecht, C. 11/4/03., Ballenger, L.
11/3/03., Red-backed Vole – Clethrionomys gapperi. 11/4/03.)
Behavior: Southern Red-backed Voles are active day and night; however, more often at
night. There has been evidence of seasonal-phase shifts from a mostly diurnal rhythm in
the winter to a nocturnal and crepuscular rhythm in the summer (Halle, S., Stenseth, N.
2000.). The home range of these voles is approximately 1/4 acre. Populations have been
reported up to 10 per acre, but usually consist of fewer. (Linzey, D., Brecht, C. 11/4/03.,
Ballenger, L. 11/3/03.)
Literature Cited
Martell, M. 1981. Food Habits in Southern Red-backed Voles (Clethrionomys gapperi)
in Northern Ontario. Canadian Field Naturalist 95(3): 325-328.
Halle, S., Stenseth, N. C. 2000. Activity Patterns in Small
Mammals: An Ecological Approach. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. Germany. P.
204.
Orrock, J., Pagels, J. 2002. Fungus Consumption by the Southern Red-backed Vole
(Clethrionomys gapperi) in the Southern Appalachians. American Midland Naturalist
147: 413-418.
Linzey, D. and Brecht, C. Clethrionomys gapperi – Southern Red-backed Vole.
http://www.discoverlife.org/nh/tx/Vertebrata/Mammalia/Muridae/Clethrionomys/
11/4/03
Ballenger, L. Clethrionomys gapperi – Southern Red-backed Vole.
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/clethrionomys/c._gapperi$narrative.htm
l 11/3/03
Red-backed Vole – Clethrionomys gapperi.
http://sevilleta.unm.edu/data/species/mammal/socorro/profile/red-backed-vole.html
11/4/03
Arthur, A. 1983. Habitat suitability index models: Southern red-backed vole. U.S.
Department of the Interior: Fish and Wildlife Service. FWS/OBS-82/10.42. 14pp.
Jones, J.K, and Birney, E.C. 1988. Handbook of Mammals of the North-Central
States. University of Minnesota Press. Minneapolis, MN.
Reference written by Aaron Kleiser, Biol 378: Edited by Chris Yahnke.
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