Naturalists have not been able to study the rock vole very closely. It probably mates and raises its young after a gestation period of 18 to 20 days in the same way as the meadow vole raises its young. It eats green plants such as bunchberries, grasses, blueberries, and thread moss. It eats caterpillars and fungus that grows underground in the spring and fall. Its enemies include weasels, foxes, lynx, and coyotes.
All carnivores eat it but find it difficult to catch.
More rock voles probably die of starvation or accidents than are eaten. It is a very cautious and secretive mammal.