California vole vs European water vole

Microtus californicus compared with Arvicola amphibius

Key Differences

• California vole is Least Concern while European water vole is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	California vole	European water 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 same	Cricetidae	Cricetidae
Genus	Microtus	Arvicola
Species	Microtus californicus	Arvicola amphibius

Evolutionary Relationship

California vole and European water vole share a common ancestor at the Family level: Cricetidae.

Conservation Status

California vole

LC — Least Concern

European water vole

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	California vole	European water vole
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

California vole

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

European water vole

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Russia, and Sweden. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

California vole

The California vole (Microtus californicus) is a species in the genus Microtus. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.