The long-tailed vole, as its name implies, is distinguished by the length of its bicolored tail. The adult vole in Montana averages a little over 6 inches in length and an ounce in weight (Foresman 2001). Its tail will be nearly 3 inches long. Upper body color may be anywhere from a dark brown to grayish brown, with streaks of black-tipped hairs. Sides appear more gray and the belly can be gray with a dull buffy wash or whitish. The feet appear dusky or soiled white. Foresman (2001) notes the large, hairy ears and Zeveloff and Collett (1988) the long appearanc of the eyes and ears in this vole.
Montana Range
Observations in Montana: 299
Montana CountiesBeaverhead, Big Horn, Broadwater, Carbon, Cascade, Chouteau, Deer Lodge, Fergus, Flathead, Gallatin, Garfield, Glacier, Golden Valley, Granite, Hill, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Liberty, Lincoln, Madison, McCone, Meagher, Mineral, Missoula, Park, Petroleum, Phillips, Powder River, Powell, Ravalli, Rosebud, Sanders, Silver Bow, Sweet Grass, Teton, Valley, Yellowstone
Non-migratory.
Riparian valley bottoms to alpine tundra, sagebrush- grassland semi-desert to subalpine coniferous forests (Hoffmann and Pattie 1968).
In forested areas may not make runways (Hoffmann and Pattie 1968). Seems to be subordinate to other species of voles (Jones et al. 1983).
Little known about breeding season. Probably May-August. Up to 4 litters produced per season. Young of the year can reproduce (Jones et al. 1983).