A small, tough, and remarkably resilient rodent that lives high in the cold, rocky reaches of Europe’s mountain ranges. Found from the Pyrenees and the Alps to the Carpathians, Balkans, and even parts of the Middle East, this hardy little mammal has made a home in environments where few creatures can survive.
At first glance, the European snow vole looks unassuming—small and round-bodied, with a short tail and tiny, rounded ears barely peeking through its fur. Its thick, velvety coat is the key to its survival, providing excellent insulation against freezing alpine winds. The upper fur is usually grayish or pale brown, while the underside is a soft off-white, creating a subtle camouflage that blends perfectly with snow patches and rocky scree. Its fur also changes slightly with the seasons, growing denser in winter to keep it warm and shedding to a lighter coat in summer.
Unlike many other small mammals that hibernate or migrate when winter arrives, the snow vole remains active all year long. When snow blankets the landscape, it simply moves under the snow layer, creating a network of tiny tunnels where it finds shelter, warmth, and food. This “subnivean” world provides safety from predators and insulation from the icy air above. During warmer months, the vole ventures into open alpine meadows to feed and gather plant materials for its burrow.
Because food can be scarce at such high altitudes, the snow vole’s metabolism is incredibly efficient, and it can survive on small amounts of vegetation by conserving energy. Its burrows, usually dug under rocks or in crevices, are lined with soft grass and moss to trap heat, and often include multiple entrances for quick escapes from predators like owls, stoats, and foxes.
Distribution
Albania
Armenia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bosnia And Herz.
Bulgaria
Croatia
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Iran
Israel
Italy
Lebanon
Montenegro
North Macedonia
Poland
Romania
Russia
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Switzerland
Syria
Turkey
UkraineAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
