Vole vs Mouse: Voles and mice are two small, furry rodents that look similar and share many of the same habits, but there are some key differences between them. Voles are typically burrowing animals, while mice are more agile and often live in trees or other elevated areas. Voles also tend to be bigger than mice, with a more rounded head and thicker fur. It’s important to be able to identify the differences between vole and mouse in order to prevent any potential problems they may cause.
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what is the difference between a mouse and a vole
If you’ve ever seen a vole and a mouse side by side, you may have asked yourself, what is the difference between a vole and a mouse? While they may look similar, there are some key differences between the two species. Voles and mice both belong to the rodent family, but their size, behavior, and diet make them two distinct species. Let’s take a look at the main differences between a vole and a mouse and why it’s important to know the difference.
difference between vole and mouse pictures

A vole and a mouse may look similar, but there are obvious differences between them. Voles and mice are part of the same family, but they have distinct features and behaviors. Understanding the differences can help you identify which animal is causing damage in your yard or home.

When it comes to rodents, there’s a lot of confusion between the different species. What does a mouse look like, and what is the difference between a vole and a mouse? Voles are small rodents that are related to lemmings and hamsters. Although they are related to the aforementioned species, they have more robust bodies and distinctively long hair-covered tails. Their heads are round, with tiny ears and eyes. Voles also have a distinct set of posterior teeth known as molars.
Their body measurements range from 3 to 9 inches (8 – 23 cm). The voles resemble a variety of other similarly sized species, including moles, gophers, mice, rats, and shrews – the entire rodent family.
Scientific classification![]() | |
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Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Rodentia |
Family: | Cricetidae |
Subfamily: | Arvicolinae |
Groups included | |
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Cladistically included but traditionally excluded taxa | |

The term mouse appears to be a generic term for the whole family of rodents that look similar due to their small size of roughly 5 inches. However, this broad approach is flawed since not all rodents are mice. A mouse, from a scientific standpoint, refers to any of the 38 species that comprise the genus Mus. Mus is only the Latin equivalent of the word mouse.
A mouse is a kind of tiny rodent. Mice are distinguished by a pointed nose, tiny rounded ears, a body-length scaly tail, and a high breeding rate. The most prevalent mouse species is the house mouse. Mice are also popular pet animals. Certain types of field mice are common in various areas.
Scientific classification
Kingdom | Animalia |
Subkingdom | Bilateria |
Infrakingdom | Deuterostomia |
Phylum | Chordata |
Subphylum | Vertebrata |
Infraphylum | Gnathostomata |
Superclass | Tetrapoda |
Class | Mammalia |
Order | Rodentia |
Family | Muridae |
Genus | Mus |
Species | Mus Musculus |
Subspecies | Mus Musculus Bactrianus, Mus Musculus Castaneus, Mus Musculus Domesticus, Mus Musculus Gentilulus, Mus Musculus Musculus. |
Have you ever seen a vole? Voles are small, furry rodents that look very similar to mice, but there are some distinct differences that set the two apart. The vole is a small rodent that is often mistaken for a mouse. While they look similar, there are key differences between a vole and a mouse.

Voles have short, stocky bodies, short legs, and short tails. They are usually brown or gray in color and have small eyes and ears. Voles have small feet with five toes on each foot, and their claws are curved for digging and tunneling. They also have long whiskers that help them navigate in the dark.
Voles have a much thicker coat of fur and shorter tails than mice, and they are also slightly larger. Voles are also known for their burrowing habits and are often found in gardens, lawns, and fields. They can be identified by their dark brown fur and small ears that are almost hidden by their fur.
If you’re trying to figure out whether that small creature scurrying around your home is a mouse or a vole, you’re not alone. Many people who aren’t familiar with the differences between these two rodents may find it difficult to tell them apart. It can be helpful to know what a mouse looks like in order to be able to identify them correctly. Voles and mice may look similar, but there are several distinct differences that can help you identify which one you’re seeing.

The typical mouse is small and has a long, thin body with a pointed snout and two small ears. Its fur is usually light brown or grey in color. Its hind legs are longer than its front legs, and it has a long, thin tail. Its eyes are large and black, and its whiskers are long and visible. This agile rodent can also be found in a variety of colors, such as black, white, and even pink!
Mice are omnivorous creatures, meaning they eat both plants and animals. In the wild, mice feed on seeds, nuts, fruit, insects, and even small birds and rodents. A mouse’s diet in captivity is similar, but their food choices may be more limited. Common household mice typically eat a variety of seeds, nuts, fruits, and vegetables supplemented with occasional treats like cheese, cooked eggs, and cooked meats.
If you have a pet mouse, you may be wondering what they eat. Mice are omnivores and enjoy a wide variety of foods. They like seeds, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and even insects. To keep your pet mouse healthy and happy, you should provide them with a balanced diet that includes a variety of different foods.
Vole animals are mostly herbivorous, eating grasses, herbaceous plants, bulbs, and tubers. They eat tree bark and roots, mainly in the fall or winter. In underground chambers, vole animals store seeds and other plant stuff. Voles are lousy climbers and rarely penetrate homes or other buildings.
Voles may be found in a vast range of habitats, from sea level to high mountains. They are found in North America from Alaska to the highlands of Mexico and Guatemala. They are found throughout the British Isles, as well as across Europe and Asia to southern China, Taiwan, and Japan.
Mice are strong animals that may be found in practically any region and environment. This includes wall voids, cabinets, attics, storage areas, lofts, and basements inside. Mice that live in the wild usually dig a tunnel underground. Outdoor mouse homes are frequently underground or in trees, depending on the species. Burrows are underground nests that protect the mouse from predators while the mouse sleeps.