A
vole is a small
rodent resembling a
mouse but with a stouter body, a shorter, hairy tail, a slightly rounder head, smaller ears and eyes, and differently formed
molars (high-crowned and with angular cusps instead of low-crowned and with rounded cusps). There are approximately 155
species of voles. They are sometimes known as meadow mice or field mice in
North America. Vole species form the
subfamily Arvicolinae with the
lemmings and the
muskrats.