When full grown they can measure 5 to 8 inches long, including the tail. Although voles do spend considerable time aboveground and may occasionally be seen scurrying about, most of their time is spent below ground in their burrow system. The runways are easily found by pulling back overhanging ground cover. With age, the droppings lose the green coloring and turn brown or gray. They are normally found in areas with dense vegetation.
Voles dig many short, shallow burrows and make underground nests of grass, stems, and leaves.
In areas with winter snow, voles will burrow in and through the snow to the surface. Several adults and young may occupy a burrow system. Home range size varies with habitat quality, food supply, and population levels, but in most cases it is no more than a few hundred square feet. In some areas their numbers are cyclic, reaching peak numbers every 3 to 6 years before dropping to low levels. Voles may breed any time of year, but the peak breeding period is spring.