The eastern heather vole (Phenacomys ungava) is a small North American vole. Until recently, this species was considered to belong to the same species as the western heather vole (P. intermedius). It is also called the Ungava vole.
Though some studies have indicated that P. ungava is "rare" or "uncommon," other researchers have found that the animal can be common locally, and others have suggested that the population may undergo cyclic abundance.
Description
Eastern heather voles are relatively small among vole species, measuring from nose to tail and weighing between . They are very similar in appearance to the western heather vole, and can only be distinguished from them by subtle features of the coat color and the shape of the skull.
The fur is long and soft. The coat is brownish with a slight yellowish wash over the back and head, with pale grey underparts and feet, and brighter, almost russet, fur on the rump and flanks. The face and snout of adults have a more pronounced yellowish cast, contrasting with the rest of the head and body. The tail is short, measuring about a quarter of the animal's total length, and is paler underneath than on the upper surface. The ears are very small, and barely visible above the long fur.
- P. u. ungava - northern Labrador, most of Ontario and Quebec, eastern Manitoba, extreme northeastern Minnesota
- P. u. crassus - southern Labrador
- P. u. mackenzii - northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan, most of Alberta, southern Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon, northeastern British Columbia
- P. u. soperi - southwestern Manitoba, southern Saskatchewan, parts of western Alberta
They are most commonly found in coniferous forests dominated by pine and spruce, usually in areas with heavy undergrowth. However, they also inhabit rocky areas, willow scrubland, peat bogs, and semi-tundra environments. but may be very numerous in specific localities.
Ecology and behaviour
Eastern heather voles are herbivorous, feeding on plant leaves and berries, especially blueberries, in summer and the bark, seeds, and buds of willows and shrubs in winter. They are among the few vertebrates capable of eating the bark of sheep laurel, and may play an important ecological role in recycling nutrients from this otherwise toxic source.
Reproduction
Eastern heather voles breed from June to July, and produce litters of two to eight young after a gestation period of 21 days. The young are born hairless and blind, developing fur by day six, crawling by day eight, and opening their eyes by day fourteen of life. They are weaned by day seventeen, but do not reach the full adult size for over three months.