Growth of the bank vole Myodes glareolus in the non-vegetative period in ne lithuania

Abstract

Bank voles (Myodes glareolus) were trapped in north-east Lithuania from October to April in 2004-2008. Investigation of 536 individuals showed that winter growth depression for the species was not strongly expressed, except for the body weight of juveniles in December and January. Only a few skull characters showed stunted growth. The wintering juvenile bank voles attained an average body mass of 14.8±0.07 g and an average body length of 84.3 ± 0.32 mm, while the respective parameters in subadult individuals were 17.0 ±0.09 g and 86.0±0.37 mm. The successful overwintering of such small bank voles suggests a possible influence of warmer winters.