Heather voles (mountain Phenacomys):
(a.) Eat their own weight in food each day (their extremely fast metabolism burns up energy very quickly)
(b.) Are known for eating their own young in times of drought and food shortages (giving survivors a better chance at survival)
(c.) Dig burrows up to six feet deep below the surface, lined with twigs (the depth insulates them from summer heat and winter cold)
(d.) Can begin breeding at just four to six weeks old (increasing species survival odds, as most live for only one year)
(e.) Prefer to be called by their initials, “M.P.” (disdaining what they regard as the overly-human name “Heather.”)
Scroll down for answer
WILDLIFE TRIVIA answer
(d.) Can begin breeding at just four to six weeks old (increasing species survival odds, as most live for only one year)
SOURCE: “Mountain Phenacomys (heather vole) – Phenacomys intermedius” (BLM California wildlife database)
Individuals can begin breeding when they are just four to six weeks old! This is necessary because most voles in the wild live for only one year. Females have up to three litters per year, with two to nine young in each litter.
