European Ground Squirrel vs field vole

Spermophilus citellus compared with Microtus agrestis

Key Differences

• European Ground Squirrel is Endangered while field vole is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	European Ground Squirrel	field 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 citellus	Microtus agrestis

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

European Ground Squirrel

EN — Endangered

field vole

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	European Ground Squirrel	field vole
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

European Ground Squirrel

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

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

field 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.

field vole

field vole (Microtus agrestis) 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.