Are There Voles in Tennessee?
Yes, voles are common throughout Tennessee across diverse habitats. Both meadow voles and pine voles inhabit the state. Meadow voles thrive in grasslands and open fields, while pine voles occupy forested regions. These small rodents play a vital ecological role in Tennessee, providing food for owls, hawks, weasels, and snakes.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 22, 2026.
California Vole · Cricket Raspet CC BY
Woodland Vole · Violet T. CC BY
Eastern Meadow Vole · rubyheron CC BY-ND
- 1,899
- GBIF records
Yes, voles are in Tennessee. Next you'll want:
Yes, voles are common throughout Tennessee across diverse habitats. Both meadow voles and pine voles inhabit the state. Meadow voles thrive in grasslands and open fields, while pine voles occupy forested regions. These small rodents play a vital ecological role in Tennessee, providing food for owls, hawks, weasels, and snakes.
Where Voles Are Found in Tennessee
Voles are distributed throughout Tennessee across all three Grand Divisions. Meadow voles occupy grasslands and open fields in the Cumberland Plateau and across middle and eastern Tennessee. Pine voles inhabit the forested regions of the Eastern Highland Rim and throughout the Appalachian regions of east Tennessee. The Great Smoky Mountains and surrounding areas support strong vole populations in both forest and forest edge habitats. The Cumberland River valley and its tributaries provide riparian habitat with vole areas. The Chickasaw Bluffs region in western Tennessee contains suitable grassland habitat. The Highland Rim regions in both middle and eastern Tennessee support vole populations. Agricultural areas throughout the state harbor meadow voles in pastures and field margins. The Tennessee River valley supports vole populations in grassland areas along its length. The Reelfoot Lake region and surrounding bottomland forest provide habitat. Wetland areas and marsh edges throughout the state contain vole populations. VisitTennessee wildlifeto explore other species across the state's varied ecosystems.
Seasonal Patterns and Activity
Tennessee voles remain active year-round, adapted to the state's moderate climate with cold winters and warm summers. Breeding season begins in early spring and extends through fall. Peak breeding occurs from April through August. Females produce multiple litters during this extended period, sometimes four to six annually. Young voles born in spring reach breeding maturity within three to four weeks. Population numbers surge through summer as young voles mature and breed. Peak populations typically occur in early fall before winter conditions arrive. Winter activity continues throughout Tennessee, particularly in areas with snow cover. The eastern mountains receive more snow, providing better tunnel protection under the snow pack. Western and central Tennessee winters are milder with less snow protection. Spring flooding along the Tennessee River and major tributaries can displace local vole populations temporarily. Drought conditions in late summer can stress vole populations in some years. Population numbers fluctuate in multi-year cycles influenced by food and predator availability. Checkvole information for Tennesseefor detailed regional information.
How to Identify a Tennessee Vole
Tennessee voles are small, stocky rodents measuring approximately four to seven inches in total length. Their dense fur ranges from russet brown to grayish brown in color. Eyes are extremely small and difficult to see. Ears are nearly completely hidden beneath fur. The snout is blunt and rounded, distinctly different from the pointed snout of mice. Tails are very short, barely extending beyond the hindquarters. Males and females appear nearly identical in the field. Young voles are smaller and lighter colored than adults. The most distinctive field characteristic is the runway system: well-worn paths through grass and vegetation. These highways remain visible year-round. Fresh droppings appear as tiny dark pellets concentrated along runway areas. Gnaw marks on plant stems show characteristic angled cuts rather than straight edges. Pine voles create more burrows in leaf litter and soil compared to meadow voles. Burrow entrance holes measure approximately one quarter inch in diameter. Winter snow melt reveals elaborate tunnel systems beneath the snow pack. For more on vole in Tennessee, see ourTennessee vole guide.
Tennessee Locations with Abundant Voles
Great Smoky Mountains National Park protects extensive vole habitat across its forests and meadows. The Cherokee National Forest in east Tennessee contains substantial habitat for both meadow and forest voles. Reelfoot Lake State Park protects wetland habitat supporting vole populations. The Cumberland River region near Clarksville supports meadow vole populations in grasslands. The Highland Rim regions near Manchester and Grundy contain suitable habitat. Mammoth Cave National Park, extending into Tennessee, protects forest vole populations. The Chickasaw Bluffs near Memphis contain grassland habitat. The Tennessee River valley near Knoxville and upstream regions support populations. Franklin State Forest and surrounding areas protect vole habitat. The Stone's River region near Murfreesboro contains suitable grassland habitat. The Harpeth River valley supports vole areas. The Clinch River region near Clinton contains productive habitat. These locations exemplifyTennessee wildlifeconservation and ecosystem protection.
Vole Behavior and Ecology in Tennessee
Tennessee voles are herbivorous, feeding on grass seeds, clover, roots, and various plant shoots. In winter, they consume dried vegetation and seeds stored in their burrow systems. Voles are primarily nocturnal but remain active during daylight hours. They live in small family groups sharing extensive runway and tunnel systems. Voles spend most of their time within tunnel networks and beneath dense vegetation. They rarely travel far from their established burrow systems. Breeding is highly productive, with females producing multiple litters annually. A single female may produce four to six litters between spring and fall. Winter pregnancy is possible under adequate snow cover or in protected microclimates. Natural predators include barn owls, short-eared owls, red-tailed hawks, barred owls, weasels, foxes, coyotes, and snakes. Vole populations experience natural boom and bust cycles reflecting environmental conditions. These cycles are driven by food availability and predator populations. Voles communicate through various squeaks and vocalizations when alarmed. Home ranges are small, typically less than one acre for most individuals. You can also browseTennessee wildlife.
Coexistence and Safety Notes
Voles are native Tennessee wildlife and legally protected by state law. They provide essential food for predators that Tennessee residents enjoy observing. Most voles cause no problems for property owners. In agricultural areas, occasional vole damage to seedlings or stored grains is manageable. Store grain in sealed metal containers. Remove brush piles and dense vegetation near outbuildings. Mow grass short in areas near homes and farm buildings. Voles do not bite unless directly threatened or trapped. They do not carry rabies but may host fleas and parasites common to wild rodents. Hand washing after any potential contact prevents transmission of parasites. If vole populations become problematic in gardens or nurseries, hardware cloth barriers protect young plants. Live traps allow relocation of individual problem voles if necessary. Poison baits should never be used near pets or wildlife. Most Tennessee residents benefit from maintaining vole populations. Voles provide crucial food for owls that Tennesseans value for natural pest control. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency provides guidance on wildlife management issues. Generally, coexistence with voles requires minimal effort.
Common Species Confusion with Tennessee Voles
Tennessee observers often mistake voles for mice, which have larger ears, longer tails, and pointed snouts compared to voles. Shrews can cause confusion but have much longer, more pointed snouts than voles. Moles are sometimes confused with voles by people seeing tunnel systems, but moles are much larger with distinctive spade-like front feet. Young rats occasionally appear similar but are significantly larger with much longer tails. Chipmunks have distinctive striped backs easily distinguishing them from plain-colored voles. Jumping mice, found in forested Tennessee areas, have enormous hind legs and jumping abilities. Cotton rats are larger with longer tails than voles. The woodland vole or pine vole can be distinguished from meadow voles by habitat preference. Water voles or water rats in wetland areas are larger than true voles. Shrews have active predatory behavior unlike voles. Learning these distinctions helps Tennessee residents correctly identify small rodents. Accurate identification supports better wildlife understanding and coexistence strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee Voles
Are voles dangerous to people? No, voles do not bite unless trapped or directly threatened. They do not carry rabies. Can voles damage Tennessee property? Damage is typically minimal. Most Tennessee residents experience no vole problems. What animals hunt Tennessee voles? Barn owls, red-tailed hawks, weasels, foxes, coyotes, and snakes all hunt voles naturally. Do voles harm crops or gardens? Occasional damage to seedlings or stored grain is manageable through simple prevention methods. Why do vole populations fluctuate? Environmental conditions, food availability, winter severity, and predator numbers create natural population cycles. Can I trap and relocate voles? Yes, live trapping is legal if done humanely. Check with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency for specific regulations and best practices. For detailed information, visitvole information for Tennessee.
Plan your vole sighting in Tennessee
1,899 verified vole records have been logged in Tennessee, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Tennessee
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Cumberland Gap National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Natchez Trace Parkway · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Obed Wild & Scenic River · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
More places to see vole
More wildlife in Tennessee