Western Heather Vole

Phenacomys intermedius

The Western Heather Vole is a seldom-seen small vole of montane and subalpine habitats, rarely observed in the field despite occurring across much of western Canada and the western United States. It differs from Microtus voles by its preference for shrubby habitats and its bright, whitish clipping piles left beside burrows. It stores food caches of clipped vegetation and berries for winter.

Habitat

Subalpine heather and shrub meadows

Diet

Berries, heather, bark, and seeds

How common

Uncommon

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