Singing Vole - Distribution and Habitat

Distribution and Habitat

Singing voles are native to Alaska and north-western Canada. They are found from the western coasts, across southern and northern Alaska, but avoid the Alaska Peninsula, the central regions, and much of the northern coast. In the east, they reach as far as the Mackenzie Mountains, being found throughout the Yukon, aside from the northern coasts, and in border regions of the neighboring provinces.

Four subspecies are currently recognised:

• Microtus miurus miurus - Kenai Peninsula
• Microtus miurus cantator - south-eastern Alaska and southern Yukon
• Microtus miurus miuriei - south-western Alaska
• Microtus miurus oreas - northern Alaska and Yukon

Singing voles are found in tundra regions above the tree line. They avoid the most extreme environments within these regions, preferring open, well-drained slopes and rock flats with abundant shrubs and sedges. They feed on arctic plants such as lupines, knotweed, sedges, horsetails, and willows. Their main predators include wolverines, Arctic foxes, stoats, skuas, hawks, and owls.