• Voles are small rodents that are often confused with moles or mice. Like these animals, voles can be a detriment to farmers’ crops. In Tennessee, three types of voles are among the native wildlife, according to the University of Tennessee Knoxville. These voles feed on crops like corn, soybeans and wheat at any time of the day. The differences in these voles lies in their main habitat.
  
  

Prairie Vole

• The prairie vole, microtus ochrogaster, lives in dry, grassy areas. In addition to living in Tennessee, the prairie vole resides in the majority of the Midwest and the central provinces of Canada. Prairie voles reach about 6 inches in length and wiegh around 2 oz. at maturity. Maturity for prairie voles happens about two months after birth. When born, these voles are hairless; however, after about two days, they grow a coat of brown fur. Prairie voles have the unusual distinction among mammals of being monogamous. Prairie voles create runways to travel above ground as well as below.
  
  

Meadow Vole

• The meadow vole is also known as the field mouse, according to the Fairfax County Public Schools website. Meadow voles, microtus pennsylvanicus, live in grasslands and woodlands, but many prefer to make their home in marshes or on river fronts and lake fronts. Meadow voles are about 5 to 7 inches long when fully mature and weigh about two oz. Like the prairie vole, meadow voles create paths known as runways to travel beneath grass. They also eat constantly, like the prairie voles. The coat of the meadow vole varies and can be yellow-brown to black-brown.
  
  

Pine Vole

• Pine voles, as their name suggests, live in wooded areas of the United States, specifically the eastern side of the country. Most pine voles (scientific name Microtus pinetorum), stay underground in burrows that connect to runways over ground. Pine voles can be anywhere from 2.8 inches to 4.2 inches long at maturity; they weigh about an ounce. The fur of the pine vole is usually an auburn color, as noted by the Cornell University Integrated Pest Management Program website. Unlike meadow and prairie voles, pine voles have small eyes and ears. Like the other voles, pine voles can breed extensively throughout the year.