California vole vs small tortoiseshell

Microtus californicus compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

• California vole is Least Concern while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	California vole	small tortoiseshell
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Rodentia (Rodents)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Cricetidae	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Microtus	Aglais
Species	Microtus californicus	Aglais urticae

Evolutionary Relationship

California vole and small tortoiseshell share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

California vole

LC — Least Concern

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	California vole	small tortoiseshell
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

California vole

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

small tortoiseshell

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found across Europe (41 countries). 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.

small tortoiseshell

small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) 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.