Alashan Ground Squirrel vs common vole

Spermophilus alashanicus compared with Microtus arvalis

Key Differences

• Alashan Ground Squirrel is Least Concern while common vole is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Alashan Ground Squirrel	common vole
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order same	Rodentia (Rodents)	Rodentia (Rodents)
Family	Sciuridae (Squirrels)	Cricetidae
Genus	Spermophilus	Microtus
Species	Spermophilus alashanicus	Microtus arvalis

Evolutionary Relationship

Alashan Ground Squirrel and common vole share a common ancestor at the Order level: Rodentia. (Rodents)

Conservation Status

Alashan Ground Squirrel

LC — Least Concern

common vole

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Alashan Ground Squirrel	common vole
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Alashan Ground Squirrel

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

common vole

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found across Europe (6 countries). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Alashan Ground Squirrel

The Alashan Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus alashanicus) is a species in the genus Spermophilus. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

common vole

common vole (Microtus arvalis) is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List. Close to qualifying as threatened, with populations that may become vulnerable without conservation action.