Cabrera’s Vole: An Overview

Common Name: Cabrera’s Vole
Scientific Name: Microtus cabrerae

Habitat

Cabrera’s Vole is primarily found in the **peninsular region of Spain**, particularly in the **Sierra de Guadarrama** and parts of **Portugal**. These voles thrive in **meadowlands**, **grasslands**, and **wooded areas** where dense vegetation provides shelter. They prefer moist habitats, often residing near streams and wetlands, which offer abundant food resources and protection from predators.

Physical Characteristics

Cabrera’s Vole typically measures around **10 to 15 cm** in body length, with a tail that is about **4 to 6 cm** long. The fur is generally soft, with a distinct coloration that varies from **dark brown** to **light tan**, often exhibiting a grayish underbelly. They possess small, rounded ears and a robust body structure, making them well-adapted to their environment. Their fur is dense, providing insulation against cold temperatures, which is essential given their habitat’s elevation.

Behavior

Cabrera’s Vole is predominantly **nocturnal**, emerging during night hours to forage for food. They are social animals, and while they can be solitary, they often live in groups within **burrow systems**. Their behavior includes **nest-building** in tall grasses and **soil burrows**, which provides them with shelter from harsh weather and predators. These voles engage in a variety of **vocalizations** to communicate, especially during mating seasons.

Diet

As herbivores, Cabrera’s Voles primarily consume **grasses**, **herbs**, and **roots**. Their diet typically includes a range of **vegetation**, which they forage from the ground level. During winter months, they may dig up snow to reach plant materials beneath. This feeding habit makes them integral to the maintenance of their grassland ecosystem, as they help in the **seed dispersal** and **nutrient cycling**.

Reproduction

Cabrera’s Vole breeds during the spring and summer months, with a gestation period of about **three weeks**. Females typically give birth to **3 to 6 young** per litter, and under ideal conditions, they can produce up to **five litters** a year. The young are weaned and capable of independent foraging by around **three weeks** old. Parental care is shared, with both sexes participating in guarding and feeding the offspring.

Conservation Status

Currently, Cabrera’s Vole is classified as **vulnerable** due to habitat loss and degradation caused by urbanization and agricultural expansion. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect their natural habitats and ensure the survival of this important species in the ecosystem.

Interesting Facts

Cabrera’s Vole is often mistaken for other species of voles, but its unique habitat preferences and behavioral patterns set it apart. Notably, they have a high reproductive rate, which helps their populations recover quickly in favorable conditions.

Role in Ecosystem

Cabrera’s Vole plays a vital role in the grassland ecosystem, serving as prey for various predators, including birds of prey and small mammals. Their burrowing activities aerate the soil, promoting plant growth and contributing to the overall health of their habitat. By feeding on grasses and other vegetation, they help maintain the balance of plant communities, showcasing their importance in sustaining their ecological niche.