The field mouse belongs to the vole family, but is one of the smallest members of the 150-species subfamily of voles. It is less than half the size of the greater vole. Find out more about the differences between the field mouse and the large vole here.

The field mouse is significantly smaller than the large vole

Similarities between the field mouse and the large vole

The large vole, also called (Eastern) water vole or earth rat, like the field mouse, belongs to the vole family. What they have in common is their rounded body shape and small rounded ears. They are also similar in terms of the brown coat color with the lighter underbelly. Both species cause a lot of damage in the garden, although not necessarily in the same way. Nevertheless, the field mouse can be easily distinguished from an adult large vole.

Differences between large vole and field mouse

The field mouse has a head and body length of 9 to approx. 12 cm, while the large vole, depending on the species, is between 13 and 24 cm (aquatic species) or 13 to 16.5 cm (terrestrial species). Thus, the large vole is always larger than a field mouse.

A direct comparison between field mouse and vole

Big vole field mouse
head torso length 13 to 24 cm 9 to 12 cm
tail length 1/2 the body length 1/4 or 1/3 of body length
Weight 65 to 320 g depending on the species 18 to 51g
coat color dark brown to brown, light underside yellowish brown to brown, light underside
nutrition Herbivorous, especially roots Herbivores, especially aerial parts of plants
gait shape oval, relatively wide narrow gullies, many closely spaced mouse holes

background

The family of voles

Vole does not refer to an animal but to a family of animals that includes over 150 species. These include the field mouse, the large vole or water vole, various types of lemmings, the muskrat and the bank vole that lives in the forest. Voles are found in Europe, Asia and America and dig tiresome tunnels to get at vegetables and roots. Their mounds are often mistaken for those of moles or rats.

Category:

Animals in the garden