Vole is a mouselike animal. Voles have plump bodies about 5 inches (13 centimeters) long. They have short or medium-length tails, short legs, and tiny ears. Most have gray fur. The many species (kinds) are usually named for their habitats. Meadow voles are the most common North American voles. They live in grassy fields and eat grass, roots, and seeds. Water voles live near water. Tundra voles live in cold, swampy plains called tundra.
Voles are closely related to lemmings. The vole population changes greatly every three to seven years, as does the number of lemmings. The number of voles may increase by 20 times in this period. Then, presumably because of predators (hunting animals), diseases, and lack of food, the population drops sharply to its original level.
