Characteristics  The southern red-backed vole is five to six inches in length. It is gray with a rust red stripe running from its head to its tail. It has a yellowish-brown face and sides and its undersides are white to gray. It has a short tail, short ears and a pointed nose. Its fur is long and thick in the winter and short in the summer.
Range
 The southern red-backed vole is found from British Columbia east to Newfoundland in Canada and in the northern United States from the Rocky Mountains to the Appalachian Mountains. The southern red-backed vole is found throughout New Hampshire.
Habitat
The southern red-backed vole lives in coniferous or mixed forests, bogs and swamps. It usually makes its nest under tree roots, logs, or brush piles.
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Diet
The southern red-backed vole eats plant
parts in the spring. In summer, fruits and berries are added to its diet. In the fall, it eats nuts and seeds. It also eats fungi, roots and some
insects. It stores food for later use. In the winter, it eats stored food
and it forages for tree roots, seeds and bark.
Life Cycle
The southern red-backed vole has a life expectancy of 10-20 months so its breeding cycle is quick! Breeding season runs from March through October. The female gives birth to two to eight young. She will have two to three litters a year. The gestation period is 17-19 days and the young are weaned when they are 17-21 days old. They are ready to mate when they are three months old!
Behavior
The southern red-backed vole is active
day and night. It usually hops instead of runs and it is a good jumper and
climber.
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