Eastern heather vole

Eastern heather voles are relatively small among vole species, measuring {{convert|11|to|15|cm|abbr=on}} from nose to tail and weighing between {{convert|15|and|47|g|abbr=on}}. They are very similar in appearance to the western heather vole, and can only be distinguished from them by subtle features of the coat color and the shape of the skull.{{cite journal | author = Braun, J.K. | year = 2013 | title = Phenacomys ungava (Rodentia: Cricetidae) | journal = Mammalian Species | volume = 45 | issue = 899 | pages = 18–29 | doi = 10.1644/899.1|display-authors=etal| doi-access = free }}

The fur is long and soft. The coat is brownish with a slight yellowish wash over the back and head, with pale grey underparts and feet, and brighter, almost russet, fur on the rump and flanks. The face and snout of adults have a more pronounced yellowish cast, contrasting with the rest of the head and body. The tail is short, measuring about a quarter of the animal's total length, and is paler underneath than on the upper surface. The ears are very small, and barely visible above the long fur.

Males have scent glands on their flanks, which can reach up to {{convert|28|mm|abbr=on}} across. Females have eight teats.

Eastern heather voles are found across most of Canada, and in a few areas in the United States near the Great Lakes. Four subspecies have been recognised, although these are not universally accepted:{{MSW3|id=13000335}}

• Phenacomys ungava ungava - northern Labrador, most of Ontario and Quebec, eastern Manitoba, extreme northeastern Minnesota
• Phenacomys ungava crassus - southern Labrador
• Phenacomys ungava mackenzii - northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan, most of Alberta, southern Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon, northeastern British Columbia
• Phenacomys ungava soperi - southwestern Manitoba, southern Saskatchewan, parts of western Alberta

They are most commonly found in coniferous forests dominated by pine and spruce, usually in areas with heavy undergrowth. However, they also inhabit rocky areas, willow scrubland, peat bogs, and semi-tundra environments. They are uncommon across much of their range,{{cite journal |author1=Jannett, F.J. |author2=Oehlenschalger, R.J. | year = 1997 | title = Range extension and unusual occurrences of the heather vole, Phenacomys intermedius, in Minnesota | journal = Canadian Field-Naturalist | volume = 111 | issue=2 | url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/35599360 | pages = 459–461}} but may be very numerous in specific localities.{{cite journal | author = Naylor, B.J. | year = 1985 | title = High density of heather voles, Phenacomys intermedius, in jack pine, Pinus banksiana, forests in Ontario | journal = Canadian Field-Naturalist | volume = 99 | issue = 4 | url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/28065519 | pages = 494–497|display-authors=etal}}

Eastern heather voles are herbivorous, feeding on plant leaves and berries, especially blueberries, in summer and the bark, seeds, and buds of willows and shrubs in winter.{{cite journal | author = Côté, M. | year = 2003 | title = Impact of seed and seedling predation by small rodents on early regeneration establishment of black spruce | journal = Canadian Journal of Forest Research | volume = 33 | issue = 12 | pages = 2362–2371 | doi = 10.1139/x03-167|display-authors=etal}} They are among the few vertebrates capable of eating the bark of sheep laurel, and may play an important ecological role in recycling nutrients from this otherwise toxic source.

Predators include owls, hawks and carnivorous mammals, such as weasels and martens. They are active year-round, mainly near dusk or at night.

In summer, they live in burrows. The burrow consists of a single tunnel ending in a nest about {{convert|10|cm|abbr=on}} across, located about {{convert|20|to|25|cm|abbr=on}} below ground, and a separate latrine chamber. The nest chamber is lined with grass or other plant material. In winter, they inhabit larger nests constructed of leaves and twigs, and located above ground, where they can be protected by surrounding snow. They store food for later use year-round, placing it near the entrance to their burrows, in crevices or under rocks.{{cite journal | author = Foster, J.B. | year = 1961 | title = Life history of the Phenacomys vole | journal = Journal of Mammalogy | volume = 42 | issue = 2 | jstor=1376828 | pages = 181–198 | doi=10.2307/1376828}}

Eastern heather voles breed from June to July, and produce litters of two to eight young after a gestation period of 21 days. The young are born hairless and blind, developing fur by day six, crawling by day eight, and opening their eyes by day fourteen of life. They are weaned by day seventeen, but do not reach the full adult size for over three months.

Females become sexually mature four to six weeks after birth, but males do not breed during their first summer. Normally, only a single litter is born each year, but, in at least some localities, a second litter may be born in August. They live for up to four years.{{cite journal |author1=Foster, J.B. |author2=Peterson, R.L. | year = 1961 | title = Age variation in Phenacomys | journal = Journal of Mammalogy | volume = 42 | issue = 1 | jstor=1377239 | pages = 44–53 | doi=10.2307/1377239}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Arvicolinae}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q1764626}}

Category:Phenacomys

Category:Mammals described in 1889

Category:Taxa named by Clinton Hart Merriam