common vole vs Gray-footed Spiny-rat

Microtus arvalis compared with Proechimys poliopus

Key Differences

• common vole is Near Threatened while Gray-footed Spiny-rat is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	common vole	Gray-footed Spiny-rat
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	Cricetidae	Echimyidae
Genus	Microtus	Proechimys
Species	Microtus arvalis	Proechimys poliopus

Evolutionary Relationship

common vole and Gray-footed Spiny-rat share a common ancestor at the Order level: Rodentia. (Rodents)

Conservation Status

common vole

NT — Near Threatened

Gray-footed Spiny-rat

VU — Vulnerable

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	common vole	Gray-footed Spiny-rat
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

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.

Gray-footed Spiny-rat

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found in Venezuela. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

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.