PREDATORS & PREDATOR DEFENSE

Microtus pinetorum (below) and pensylvanicus (above). Picture taken from University of Rhode Island Landscape and Horticulture Program.
Pine voles are a semifossorial species- meaning that the animals spend most of their time underground in their burrow systems. Pine voles seldom venture any distance above ground (Whitaker & Hamilton; 1998). Hawks and owls are major predators of pine voles, but pine vole strategy of remaining underground secures their safety (Whitaker & Hamilton). Pine vole predators include any mammals, birds, snakes, or other predators in their selected habitat (Whitaker & Hamilton). Pine voles succeed in avoiding much predation because of their subterranean lifestyle (Whitaker & Hamilton). There are entire communities of ectoparasites, lice, fleas, mites, and chiggers on the coats of pine voles, but these are not exactly predators (Whitaker & Hamilton).