Voles, often called field or meadow mice, are prevalent throughout the entirety of California and most of the United States. Of the six species that exist in the U.S. there are two that are responsible for the most damage in California.
The California vole, M. Californicus, is the most common in all areas of California. They can be found in the Owens and Central valleys as well as almost the entire length of the coastal range. M. montanus, or the Montane Vole, are typically found in northeastern California and the eastern Sierra slope.
These tiny creatures often resemble mice but they are actually more closely related to lemmings and hamsters than to mice or rats.
Voles are between 3-9 inches in length depending on the species. The females can have five to ten litters per year! Though the average lifespan of a healthy Vole is three months, with only one month to reach adulthood. Due to the exponential growth of these creatures, Vole populations can grow in a shockingly short time. A pair of Vole mates can produce more than a hundred Voles in a year.