Felten's vole (''Microtus felteni''), also known as the Balkan pine vole, is a species of

rodent Rodents (from Latin , 'to gnaw') are mammals of the Order (biology), order Rodentia ( ), which are characterized by a single pair of continuously growing incisors in each of the upper and Mandible, lower jaws. About 40% of all mammal specie ...

in the family

Cricetidae The Cricetidae are a family of rodents in the large and complex superfamily Muroidea. It includes true hamsters, voles, lemmings, muskrats, and New World rats and mice. At over 870 species, it is either the largest or second-largest family ...

. It was formerly considered a subspecies of Savi's pine vole. It is a small species, weighing 16–28 g and measuring 83–105 mm in length. It has a dark brown back and silvery-grey belly. The vole is found in southern

Serbia , image_flag = Flag of Serbia.svg , national_motto = , image_coat = Coat of arms of Serbia.svg , national_anthem = () , image_map = , map_caption = Location of Serbia (gree ...

North Macedonia North Macedonia, officially the Republic of North Macedonia, is a landlocked country in Southeast Europe. It shares land borders with Greece to the south, Albania to the west, Bulgaria to the east, Kosovo to the northwest and Serbia to the n ...

Albania Albania ( ; or ), officially the Republic of Albania (), is a country in Southeast Europe. It is located in the Balkans, on the Adriatic Sea, Adriatic and Ionian Seas within the Mediterranean Sea, and shares land borders with Montenegro to ...

, and northern

Greece Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. Located on the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula, it shares land borders with Albania to the northwest, North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to th ...

, where it inhabits a variety of habitats at elevations of 20–2,050 m. It eats plant matter and seeds. It is listed as being of least concern on the IUCN Red List.

Taxonomy

The species is named after Heinz Felten, a German zoologist who served as Curator of Mammals at the Senckenburg Museum in Frankfurt. It was formerly considered a subspecies of Savi's pine vole. It is also called the Balkan pine vole.

Description

Felten's vole is a small species, weighing 16–28 g and measuring 83–105 mm in length. It has a dark brown back and silvery-grey belly. It has a short tail and slightly high and conical upper incisors. Females have four nipples.

Distribution and habitat

Felten's vole is endemic to the

Balkans The Balkans ( , ), corresponding partially with the Balkan Peninsula, is a geographical area in southeastern Europe with various geographical and historical definitions. The region takes its name from the Balkan Mountains that stretch throug ...

, where it is found in southern

Serbia , image_flag = Flag of Serbia.svg , national_motto = , image_coat = Coat of arms of Serbia.svg , national_anthem = () , image_map = , map_caption = Location of Serbia (gree ...

, and northern

. It appears to tolerate a variety of habitats and is known to inhabit meadows, mountain forests, woodland edge, shrubs, riverbanks, and clearings. More rarely, it is also seen in farmland. It is known from elevations of 20 m to 2,050 m.

Ecology

The species is nocturnal and semi-

fossorial A fossorial animal () is one that is adapted to digging and which lives primarily (but not solely) underground. Examples of fossorial vertebrates are Mole (animal), moles, badgers, naked mole-rats, meerkats, armadillos, wombats, and mole salamand ...

. It eats plant matter and seeds.

Conservation

The vole is restricted to a relatively small area and is rare in its range, but is not thought to be declining in population or facing any major threats. Consequently, it is listed as being of least concern on the IUCN Red List. It has been recorded from protected areas.

References

* {{Taxonbar, from=Q605504 Microtus Mammals described in 1963 Taxonomy articles created by Polbot