The Creeping Vole (Microtus oregoni), sometimes known as the Oregon meadow mouse, is a small rodent in the family Cricetidae. Ranging across the Pacific Northwest of North America, it is found in forests, grasslands, woodlands, and chaparral environments. The small-tailed, furry, brownish-gray mammal was first described in the scientific literature in 1839, from a specimen collected near the mouth of the Columbia River. The smallest vole in its range, it weighs around 19 g (0.67 oz). At birth, they weigh 1.6 g (0.056 oz), are naked, pink, unable to open their eyes, and the ear flaps completely cover the ear openings. Although not always common throughout their range, there are no major concerns for their survival as a species.
Creeping voles are found in British Columbia in Canada and in Washington, Oregon and northern California, in the United States. They are found as far north as Port Moody, British Columbia and as far south as Mendocino City, California. The western range in Washington extends east to Mount Aix, Lake Chelan, and Signal Peak. The range in Oregon extends east to the north base of Three Sisters and to Crater Lake. There are variable reports as to their occurrence in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. In California, they are found as far east as Beswick and South Yolla Bolly Mountain.
They are found in coniferous forests and woodlands, grasslands, and chaparral. They are found at sea level through altitudes of nearly 2,400 m (7,900 ft). They are more populous in areas of disturbance than virgin forests. They are burrowing animals and will also use fallen logs, other debris, and patches of grass for cover. The burrows are shallow. They are found in moist forests along the coast, but may do well in drier areas.
It is suspected that ancestral voles migrated from Eurasia 1.2 million years ago. However, no Pleistocene-era fossils of creeping voles have been identified.
This gallery has an individual seen at Lake Farm, Port Angeles, Washington
