MEADOW VOLE

A PROLIFIC CAPTIVE FEMALE GIVE BIRTH TO 17 LITTERS IN A YEAR. SHE WAS, IN EFFECT, A PERPETUAL BREEDER, FOR EACH GESTATION LASTED THREE WEEKS. HAD ALL HER OFF SPRING PLUS THOSE OF SUCCEEDING GENERATIONS THAT YEAR BEEN AS PROLIFIC, THE LABORATORY WOULD HAVE BEEN FILLED WITH MORE THAN A MILLION VOLES....

MOS WIDESPREAD FOR ITS GENUS, THE RODENT IS FOUND FROM THE CAROLINAS TO ALASKA. IT IS 3.5 TO 5 INCHES (89 TO 127 MM) LONG. WITH A FULL HALF THAT. IT WEIGHS 1 TO 2.5 OUNCES (28 TO 71 G).......