Chionomys nivalis (Martins, 1842)

Fur Characteristics

The European snow vole, Chionomys nivalis, has soft, long, dense fur that is pale grey with a brown tinge.

Facial Features

It has a rounded nose, black beady eyes, long whitish whiskers, and moderately large ears.

Tail Characteristics

Its comparatively long, whitish tail is covered in short, sparse hairs.

Size and Weight

Adult head and body length ranges from 4.25 to 5.5 inches (108 to 140 mm), tail length ranges from 2 to 3 inches (51 to 76 mm), and adult weight ranges from 1 to 2 ounces (28 to 57 g).

Vocalization

This species vocalizes with squeaks, and its teeth can sometimes be heard chattering.

European Distribution

The European snow vole is native to mountain ranges in southern Europe, including the Pyrenees, Apennines, Alps, Carpathians, Balkan Mountains, Mount Olympus, Pindus Range, and Montesinho mountains.

Asian Distribution

In Asia, it is native to mountainous parts of the Caucasus, Lebanon, Syria, western and northern Iran, and southern Turkmenistan.

Island Distribution

It is only found on one Mediterranean island: Euboea, off the coast of Greece.

Alpine Habitat

It mostly lives above the tree line among rocks and scree, in alpine meadows, on boulder-covered slopes, in rock crevices, and in areas with dwarf mountain pines (Pinus mugo), alpine rose (Rhododendron ferrugineum), and scrubby vegetation.

Low Elevation French Habitat

In France, it occurs at lower elevations in some karst regions, including near Glun in the Ardèche department and near Nîmes.

Glacial Relict Status

This vole is a recognized glacial relict species; after the most recent glaciation retreated, its suitable habitat became fragmented.

Soil Association

It is restricted to petricolic soils, and occurs at lower altitudes wherever these soils are present.

Microhabitat Dependence

Its occurrence at a given site depends on the suitability of the microhabitat, rather than suitable temperature conditions.

Altitudinal Competition Drivers

It is most often found at medium to high altitudes because there is less competition from other animals like grasshoppers, alpine marmots (Marmota marmota), ibex (Capra spp.), and chamois (Rupicapra spp.).

Forest Habitat Competition

When suitable petricolic soils are found in forests, the species is rarely abundant, because it faces competition from other mammals including the edible dormouse (Glis glis) and the garden dormouse (Eliomys quercinus).

Habitat Specialization Status

Research has confirmed that the European snow vole is a rock-dwelling specialist.

Reproductive Group Habitat Preference

The study found that reproductive females and juveniles preferentially use the central parts of scree areas, especially locations near scree junipers (Juniperus communis).

Non-Reproductive Group Habitat Use

By contrast, males and non-reproductive females are less selective, and occupy rocky habitat in proportion to how much of this habitat is available.