Savi's Pine Vole
The Savi’s Pine Vole (Microtus savii de Selys-Longchamps, 1838) is a small rodent of the family Cricetidi, widespread in Italy and in some areas of the Province of Salerno such as the Cilento e Vallo di Diano National Park. It can be found from the sea level up to 2000m of height.
It is a small size rodent, with a stocky body, 82-85 mm long with a weight of 15-25g. Its fluffy and thick fur is light brown, slightly fading to grey in the belly. The eyes and the ears are small and partially hidden by the thick fur. Its feet are endowed with stout nails, useful for digging. The tail is black and hairless, 2-3 cm long. It spends most of its time in complex tunnel systems underground but it often goes out looking for food and water. It feeds on seeds, tubers, bulbs, root stocks, barks. It can cause serious damages to cultivations.
It reach its sexual maturity after 3 months. It is quite a prolific species. The breeding period goes from April to October, when the female can give birth up to 20 pups, in 4-5 broods of 2-4 pups per time. Among its predators there are the fox, the weasel, rapacious birds and snakes.
Photo gallery
Notes
Spagnesi M., De Marinis A.M. (a cura di), Mammiferi d'Italia - Quad. Cons. Natura n.14 , Ministero dell'Ambiente - Istituto Nazionale Fauna Selvatica, 2002