Mammals nocturnal

Long-tailed Vole

Microtus longicaudus

Recognizable by a tail that defies the usual 'short-tailed' vole stereotype, this nimble mountain-dweller is a master of the western wild. While they are secretive by nature, their busy lives provide a fascinating glimpse into the hidden world of backyard mammals.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Total length of 16-22 cm (6.3-8.7 in); tail length of 6-9 cm (2.4-3.5 in); weight ranges from 40-60 g (1.4-2.1 oz)

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Colors

Dull grayish-brown upper fur with scattered black hairs; underparts are a contrasting light gray or silver-white; tail is distinctly bicolored (darker on top).

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Key Features

Exceptionally long tail, usually over 30% of total body length
Small, rounded ears that are mostly visible above the fur
Grayish-brown coat with a silver-gray belly
More slender build compared to other vole species

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern nocturnal

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Peak hours 9 PM - 4 AM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Primarily herbivorous, feeding on green grasses, sedges, and flowering plants. They also consume seeds, berries, fungi, and occasionally the inner bark of shrubs during winter.

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Habitat Highly versatile; found in moist meadows, forest edges, riparian areas, and mountain slopes from sea level to alpine tundra.

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Behavior

The Long-tailed Vole is a hardy and adaptable rodent found across the diverse landscapes of western North America. Unlike many other vole species that live in large, complex colonies, the Long-tailed Vole is relatively solitary and maintains its own individual territory. They are known for being more agile than their cousins, capable of climbing low bushes and swimming across small streams to find food or escape predators.

These mammals are active throughout the year, even in the harshest winters. During the snowy months, they live in the "subnivean zone"—the space between the ground and the bottom of the snowpack—where they stay insulated from the cold and hidden from hawks and owls. While they are primarily nocturnal, they are frequently active during the day if there is sufficient ground cover to protect them from overhead threats.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the Long-tailed Vole on camera requires a strategy focused on ground-level activity. Start by looking for "runways"—narrow, worn paths about two inches wide through thick grass or leaf litter. Unlike other voles that dig deep, this species frequently uses these surface corridors. Position your camera just 2 to 5 inches off the ground, using a low-profile stake or by resting it directly on a flat stone. Aiming the camera along the length of the runway, rather than across it, gives the sensor more time to trigger as the animal approaches the lens.

Because these are small, fast-moving mammals, camera settings are crucial. Use a high-sensitivity motion trigger and set your capture mode to "Burst" or "Rapid Fire." This ensures that if the vole is running, you get multiple frames, increasing your chances of seeing that signature long tail. If your camera has a focus adjustment, set it for close-range (3-5 feet). If the image is too blurry, move the camera slightly further back and use the digital zoom later to crop in on the subject.

To encourage the vole to stop for a "portrait," place a small amount of bait such as rolled oats, sunflower seeds, or a smear of peanut butter on a log or stone directly in front of the camera. The scent will pique their curiosity and cause them to pause, providing a clear, sharp image. In the winter, look for small holes in the snow where they might emerge to forage; these are goldmines for cold-weather wildlife photography. Ensure you are using lithium batteries during winter months to maintain camera performance in freezing temperatures.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Long-tailed Vole.

Meadow Vole

Has a much shorter tail (usually less than 30% of body length) and typically prefers wetter, more lowland marshy areas.

Montane Vole

Smaller and possesses a shorter tail; it is usually found in drier, more open upland meadows compared to the versatile Long-tailed Vole.

North American Deermouse

While also long-tailed, deermice have much larger eyes, larger ears, and white underparts that are more sharply defined from their brown upper fur.

Frequently Asked Questions

Long-tailed Voles are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are most active under the cover of darkness. However, they are also crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) and may occasionally venture out during the day if they have thick vegetation to hide them from predators.

The best way to attract Long-tailed Voles is to provide natural cover. Avoid mowing all of your grass; leaving a few patches of tall, native grasses and brush piles provides the safety they need. You can also place small amounts of birdseed or oats near these sheltered areas to encourage them to visit your camera site.

They have a varied herbivorous diet consisting of green vegetation, grasses, and sedges. Depending on the season, they also enjoy wild berries, seeds, and underground fungi. In the winter, they are known to gnaw on the bark of woody plants when green food is scarce.

Yes, they are quite common in suburban areas across the western United States and Canada, especially in yards that border parks, forests, or meadows. Because they are shy and mostly active at night, many homeowners have them in their backyards without ever realizing it.

The easiest way to tell them apart is the length of the tail. While most voles have very short tails, the Long-tailed Vole's tail is nearly half its body length. Additionally, they tend to have a grayer, less reddish coat than the common Meadow Vole.

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