The field mouse belongs to the vole family, but is one of the smallest representatives of the 150-species subfamily of voles. It is less than half the size of the large vole. Find out more about the differences between the field mouse and the large vole here.
What are the differences between field mice and voles?
Field mice and voles are both voles, but differ in size, fur color and lifestyle. Field mice are smaller (9-12 cm), with yellowish-brown fur and eat primarily above-ground parts of plants. Vole is larger (13-24 cm), with dark brown fur and prefers roots as food.
Similarities of the field mouse and the large vole
The large vole, also known as the (eastern) water vole or ground rat, belongs to the family of voles, just like the field mouse. What they have in common is their rounded body shape and small, rounded ears. They are also similar in their brown fur color with their lighter underbelly. Both species cause a lot of damage in the garden, although not necessarily in the same way. Nevertheless, the field mouse can easily be distinguished from an adult large vole.
Differences between large voles and field mice
The field mouse has a head and body length of 9 to approx. 12 cm, while the large vole, depending on the species, is between 13 and 24 cm (aquatic species) or 13 to 16.5 cm (land-living species) large. This means that the large vole is always larger than a field mouse.
A direct comparison between field mice and voles
| Big Vole | Field Mouse | |
|---|---|---|
| Head-torso length | 13 to 24 cm | 9 to 12 cm |
| Tail length | 1/2 of body length | 1/4 or 1/3 of body length |
| Weight | depending on the type 65 to 320 g | 18 to 51 g |
| fur color | dark brown to brown, light underside | yellowish brown to brown, light underside |
| Nutrition | Herbivores, especially roots | Herbivores, especially above-ground parts of plants |
| Aisle shape | oval, relatively wide | narrow channels, many mouse holes close together |
Background
The vole family
Vole does not refer to an animal but to a family of animals that includes over 150 species. These include, among others, the field mouse, the large vole or water vole, various species of lemmings, the muskrats and the bank vole, which lives in the forest. Voles are found in Europe, Asia and America and dig annoying tunnels to get to vegetables and roots. Their mounds are often confused with those of moles or rats.
