Voles in Montana

The state of Montana has vast swatches of natural habitats that support numerous plant and animal species, from small rodents to huge elk. Among the numerous rodent species native to the state are some eight types of vole. Of these species four are found throughout much of the state, while the others are mainly isolated to the western half of Montana.

  1. Meadow Vole

    • The state's most widespread vole is the meadow vole. At just under 6 inches in length, it ranges in color from yellowish-brown to dark brown. It is also very common throughout the rest of the northern U.S. and much of Canada.

    Long-tailed Vole

    • The long-tailed vole is common in all but the most extreme eastern counties of Montana and is a little over 6 inches in length with a 3-inch tail. Dark brown in color, the species ranges along most of the western U.S. all the way up to Alaska.

    Prairie Vole

    • Widespread in all but the most western counties of Montana, the prairie vole grows to around 6 inches in length. They are generally grayish-brown in color with hints of black and are found in the central U.S. and up into south-central Canada.

    Sagebrush Vole

    • The sagebrush vole is common to much of the state, with the exception of the most western counties. It ranges from 4 to 5 inches in length and has pale gray fur with a short white tail. It ranges throughout the northwestern states and some of south-central Canada, but not coastal regions.

    Heather Vole

    • Resident to the more western counties of Montana, the heather vole ranges from 4 to 6 inches in length. It is gray-brown in color with a white face and silvery stomach. It is found in small population areas along the west coast up into Canada and down into New Mexico.

    Montane Vole

    • Ranging from central to western Montana, the montane vole is between 5 and 7 inches in length. It is blackish-brown in color with hints of gray and a white stomach. Its more extended range includes the central western states from Washington to New Mexico.

    Southern Red-backed Vole

    • Common in the western and south-central counties of Montana, the southern red-backed vole grows to around 6 inches. It has reddish brown fur with gray hints on its sides and a white belly. It is found throughout Canada and most of the northern U.S.

    Water Vole

    • Native to just the most western Montana counties, the water vole grows to 9 inches in length. It has thick, dark brown fur with a reddish tint along its back. Its wider range is restricted to the more central northwestern states and southwest Canada.