The currently accepted scientific name for the northern red-backed vole is Clethrionomys rutilus Pallas. It is in the family Cricetidae. Tesky, Julie L. 1994. The specific ranges of the subspecies are not described in the literature.
Females are polyestrous and produce two or three litters during the breeding season.
Litter size ranges from four to nine. At this time they are weaned and leave the nest. Young grow little during the winter because of low food supplies. Age of sexual maturity depends to some extent on time of birth. About 20 percent of females from the first litter breed during the summer of birth.