Voles are small rodents that commonly referred to as meadow mice or field mice. Voles are often referred to as pests as they can be troublesome in the garden, but they are an important food source for many local predators including coyotes, snakes, foxes, and owls. They are most easily recognized by their short tail (about 1" long, with the long tale vole as the exception). They are 4" to 8.5" in length with gray to brown fur. Voles have short lifespans - 8 weeks to 16 months