Each of the families on this page—Cricetidae, Heteromyidae, Muridae, and Zapodidae—have members with common names that include the word "rat" or "mouse". Thus, those names are not specific to a taxonomic group. In common names, "rat" is generally used to refer to larger rodents and "mouse" is used to refer to smaller rodents. We chose to group these four families on one page for several reasons: 1) many of the species in these families look superficially similar and can be easily confused; 2) family-level separation requires more navigation and potentially missed species; and 3) separation by common name can lead to taxonomic confusion.

This page attempts to provide standardized side-by-side images of mice, rats, lemmings, and voles occurring in the United States of America. Standardized images for some species are not available, yet. For species not represented with an image here, images from the field are typically available on the individual species pages. Adults in summer pelage are shown unless otherwise noted.

Muridae in the United States

Muridae is a large family of rodents. Murids are not native to the Americas. Three species are present in the United States: House Mouse (Mus musculus), Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus), and Roof Rat (Rattus rattus). These three species have been introduced nearly worldwide and are more likely to be found in or near areas occupied by humans. Mammalogists refer to them as Old World rats and mice to distinguish them from mice and rats native to the Americas and belonging to the family Cricetidae.

Old World mice

A single species of Old World mice is found in the United States: House Mouse (Mus musculus). It is a small, brown to gray-brown to blackish mouse primarily found in human-made habitats.

House Mouse (Mus musculus). The dorsal coloration of this species ranges from brown to gray-brown to blackish.

Old World rats

The two species of Rattus are found in the United States. They are large and as adults they are not easily confused with the much smaller House Mouse.

Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus). The dorsal coloration of this species ranges from gray to grayish-brown to brown to blackish. The rostrum (nose) is blunt and the tail is less than 50% of the total length.
Black Rat (Rattus rattus). The dorsal coloration of this species ranges from gray to nearly black. The rostrum is more pointed than in the Brown Rat and the tail is greater than 50% of the total length.

Heteromyidae in the United States

The family Heteromyidae contains the coarse-haired pocket mice, silky pocket mice, kangaroo rats, spiny pocket mice, and kangaroo mice. All species in the family Heteromyidae have external fur-lined cheek pouches, which are visible when viewed from the underside.

Pocket mice (Chaetodipus and Perognathus)

Pocket mice are small rodents found in central and western North America. The silky pocket mice (genus: Perognathus) generally have smoother pelage and softer appearance than the coarse-haired pocket mice (genus: Chaetodipus). The overall darkness of the back varies geographically in most species. All Perognathus species lack rump spines, while only some Chaetodipus lack rump spines. The presence of rump spines may be difficult to detect in some species, such as Chaetodipus intermedius. Species of Perognathus and Chaetodipus can often be separated by a combination of the following characters: overall body size, presence/absence of tufted tail, presence/absencce of a crested tail, presence/absence of an antitragus (look closely at the ear), presence/absence of a subauricular spot (below the ear), presence/absence of a postauricular spot (behind the ear), size of the postauricular spot (if present), presence/absence of rump spines, length of hind foot.

Species not pictured: Highland Coarse-haired Pocket Mouse (Chaetodipus collis), White-eared Pocket Mouse (Perognathus alticolus), Columbia Plateau Pocket Mouse (Perognathus parvus). Perognathus mollipilosus was split from Perognathus parvus by Riddle et al. (2014) based on analyses of both mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA (nDNA).

Bailey's Pocket Mouse (Chaetodipus baileyi). The upper pelage is gray-brown with varying degrees of yellow wash. The rump lacks spines.
California Pocket Mouse (Chaetodipus californicus). Dorsal coloration ranges from pale brown to dark reddish-brown. Rump spines are present and pronounced.
Chihuahuan Desert Pocket Mouse (Chaetodipus eremicus). Dorsal coloration ranges from buff to vinaceous buff. The rump lacks spines.
San Diego Pocket Mouse (Chaetodipus fallax). Upper parts of the pelage are rich brown, darker over the rump, and under parts are white or creamy white. Bristles on the rump are black, whereas those on the flank are white.
Long-tailed Pocket Mouse (Chaetodipus formosus). Dorsal coloration ranges from brown to reddish-brown. The rump lacks spines.
Hispid Pocket Mouse (Chaetodipus hispidus). Dorsal coloration ranges from yellowish to reddish-buff. The rump lacks spines.
Rock Pocket Mouse (Chaetodipus intermedius). Dorsal coloration is highly variable in this species and depends largely on the color of the substrate, ranging from pale brown to brownish-black to black. Rump spines are present but may be difficult to detect.
Desert Pocket Mouse (Chaetodipus penicillatus). Dorsal coloration ranges from gray to yellowish-brown to pinkish-brown. The rump lacks spines.
Peninsular Pocket Mouse (Chaetodipus rudinoris). Dorsal coloration varies from yellowish-gray to buffy ochre or pale buffy. The rump lacks spines. This is one of the largest species in the genus.
Spiny Pocket Mouse (Chaetodipus spinatus). Upper parts are drab brown, with large and prominent spines on the rump, scattered on the flanks and sides, and often extending to the shoulders, and the underparts are buffy white.
Arizona Pocket Mouse (Perognathus amplus). Coloration varies among subspecies but, in general, it is salmon-ochre on the back and yellowish-white on the abdomen. The rump lacks spines.
Olive-backed Pocket Mouse (Perognathus fasciatus). Dorsal pelage of olivaceous to buff, washed with black hairs. The rump lacks spines.
Plains Pocket Mouse (Perognathus flavescens). Dorsal coloration ranges from buff to yellowish or reddish, with a variable dorsal wash of black hairs. The rump lacks spines.
Silky Pocket Mouse (Perognathus flavus). Fur color varies depending on the subspecies and geographic location but typically ranges from yellowish-brown to grayish-brown. The rump lacks spines.
San Joaquin Pocket Mouse (Perognathus inornatus). Dorsal coloration ranges from brown to ochraceous buff to pinkish overlaid with a variable wash of blackish hairs. The rump lacks spines.
Little Pocket Mouse (Perognathus longimembris). Upper parts can be pinkish-, reddish-, or ochraceous-buff, typically matching the color of the soil. The rump lacks spines.
Merriam's Pocket Mouse (Perognathus merriami). Dorsal color is yellowish or yellowish-orange, with a slight blackish tinge.
Great Basin Pocket Mouse (Perognathus mollipilosus). Dorsal coloration ranges from buff to ashy. The rump lacks spines.

Kangaroo rats (Dipodomys)

Successful field identification of kangaroo rats (genus: Dipodomys) can, for the most part, be accomplished using a one or more of the following: range, tail coloration (particularly the distal portion), length of ear, length of tail, and number of toes on the hind foot (4 or 5).

Agile Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys agilis). Upper parts are dark reddish brown or dusky cinnamon buff. Tail with dull brownish-black crest and tuft. Five toes on hindfeet.
California Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys californicus) observed by akerwin70 in Siskiyou County, California. Dark kangaroo rat with a white-tipped tail. Four toes on hindfeet.
Gulf Coast Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys compactus) observed by Robby Deans in Boca Chica State Park, Texas. Upper parts range from grayish cream or orangish yellow to darker reddish yellow. Dorsal coloration of tail is uniform. Five toes on hindfeet.
Desert Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys deserti) photographed by Kyle Nessen in Mojave National Preserve, California. Upper parts pale buff in color. Tail has a white tip. Four toes on hindfeet.
Texas Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys elator). Upperparts buffy, washed with blackish. Tail with white tip. Four toes on hindfeet.
Heermann's Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys heermanni). Upperparts range from tawny-olive strongly overwashed with black to ochraceous-buff. Tail generally without white tip (although see description). Five toes on hindfeet.
Giant Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys ingens), the largest species of Heteromyidae in North America. Upper parts brownish. Tail with light brown tip. Five toes on hindfeet.
Merriam's Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys merriami) photographed by Randy Babb. © Randy Babb. Dorsal coloration variable. Dorsal coloration of tail is uniform to the tip. Four toes on hindfeet.
Chisel-toothed Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys microps) observed by Rick Overson and Laura Steger in the Arizona Strip of northwestern Arizona. © Oversteger Studios. Upper parts variously brown. Tail lacks a white tipe, but may have a patch of pale hairs near the tip. Five toes on hindfeet. Lower incisors are chisel-shaped.
San Joaquin Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys nitratoides). Upper parts range from uniform fulvous or clay color to dark brown. Dorsal coloration of tail is uniform to the tip. Four toes on hindfeet.
Ord's Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys ordii) observed by Nick Cairns in Carbon County, Montana. Upper parts are brownish yellow washed with black. Dorsal coloration of tail is uniform to the tip. Five toes on hind feet.
Panamint Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys panamintinus) observed by markc666 in Mono County, California. Upper parts vary from ashy gray to dark brown or cinnamon brown. Dorsal coloration of tail is uniform to the tip. Five toes on hindfeet.
Dulzura Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys simulans). Upper parts dark brown. Dorsal coloration of tail is fairly uniform to the tip. Five toes on hindfeet.
Banner-tailed Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys spectabilis) photographed by Randy Babb. © Randy Babb. Upper parts various brown. Tail is black dorsally with a white tip. Four toes on hindfeet.
Stephens's Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys stephensi). Upper parts dark. Dorsal coloration of tail is uniform to the tip. Five toes on hindfeet.
Narrow-faced Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys venustus) observed by Nicole in California. Upper parts are dark. Dorsal coloration of tail is uniform to the tip. Five toes on hindfeet.

Spiny pocket mice (Heteromys)

A single species of spiny pocket mice (genus: Heteromys) lives in the United States, the Mexican Spiny Pocket Mouse (Heteromys irroratus).

Mexican Spiny Pocket Mouse (Heteromys irroratus) observed in Mexico by Oscar Báez. Pelage is hispid, consisting of stiff spines mingled with slender soft hairs; upper parts are grayish brown; lateral stripe, which is usually present, is generally pale pink to buff; underparts are white.

Kangaroo mice (Microdipodops)

Kangaroo mice (genus: Microdipodops) have large heads, enlarged hind feet and hind legs, and thick tails that lack a crest or tuft. Until recently, there were only three species in this genus. Hafner et al. (2025) genetically identified several cryptic lineages and determined that the group contains six species. Depending on the locality, successful identification may require genetic or karyotype analysis.

Bonneville Kangaroo Mouse (Microdipodops albiventer). Collected in 1932 in Lincoln County, Nevada. This species is endemic to the Great Basin Desert of western North America and ranges from east-central Nevada to western Utah.
Oregon Kangaroo Mouse (Microdipodops californicus). This species is found in arid, sandy habitats from central and southeastern Oregon, north western Nevada and eastern California.
Owyhee Kangaroo Mouse (Microdipodops megacephalus). Collected in 1890 in Elko County, Nevada. This species is found in the upland flats of the Owyhee Desert in extreme southwestern Idaho, remote southeastern Oregon, and north-central Nevada and adjoining foothills and bajadas.
Nevada Kangaroo Mouse (Microdipodops polionotus) observed in Nevada by Corey Lange. This species is found in central Nevada as well as the peripheral isolate inhabiting the Mono Basin and adjoining valley regions of California and Nevada.
Lahontan Kangaroo Mouse (Microdipodops pallidus) collected in 1915 in Clayton Valley, Esmeralda County, Nevada. This species is endemic to the Lahonton Trough of western Nevada and isolated populations of Deep Springs and Eureka Dunes of eastern California.
Kawich Kangaroo Mouse (Microdipodops ruficollaris). This species is known from sandy basins and uplands of south-central Nevada.

Zapodidae in the United States

Species in the family Zapodidae are referred to as jumping mice. They have elongated hind limbs and remarkably long tails that are not well-haired (lack crests and tufts).

Woodland jumping mice (Napaeozapus)

Genetic analyses by Malaney et al. (2017) recognized two species within the genus Napaeozapus (woodland jumping mice), where previous morphology-based studies had recognized only one species (e.g. Krutzsch, 1954). The work of Malaney et al. (2017) has importantly exposed cryptic diversity and a putative new species within Napaeozapus, but further studies will be needed to fully understand new species boundaries and morphological variation. Both species look similar to species in the genus Zapus (jumping mice), but can be distinguished externally by the white-tipped tail and overall brighter coloration.

Western Woodland Jumping Mouse (Napaeozapus abietorum). The side coloration can be dull yellow to bright yellowish orange. The tip of the tail is white.
Eastern Woodland Jumping Mouse (Napaeozapus insignis). The side coloration is generally bright yellowish orange. The tip of the tail is white.

Jumping mice (Zapus)

Malaney et al. (2017) recognized 9 species within the genus Zapus (jumping mice), elevating some of the subspecies in Krutzsch's (1954) revision of jumping mice to species status. The work of Malaney et al. (2017) has importantly exposed cryptic diversity and putative new species within Zapus, but further studies will be needed to fully understand new species boundaries and morphological variation. Zapus luteus was previuosly considered a subspecies of Zapus princeps by Krutzsch (1954). Zapus oregonus and Zapus pacificus were previously considered subspecies of Zapus princeps by Krutzsch (1954). Zapus montanus was previously considered a subspecies of Zapus trinotatus by Krutzsch (1954).

Northern Meadow Jumping Mouse (Zapus hudsonius)
Southern Meadow Jumping Mouse (Zapus luteus) subspecies pallidus from Kansas
Southwestern Jumping Mouse (Zapus princeps)
Northwestern Jumping Mouse (Zapus saltator)
Northern Pacific Jumping Mouse (Zapus trinotatus)
Holotype: USNM 133601. Zapus luteus luteus. Adult female. Espanola, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. Collected 24 June 1904.
Holotype: USNM 79863. Zapus montanus. Adult female. Crater Lake, Klamath County, Oregon. Collected 21 August 1896.
Holotype: USNM 78156. Zapus oregonus. Adult male. Elgin, Blue Mountains, Union County, Oregon. Collected 29 May 1896.
Holotype: USNM 80445. Zapus pacificus. Young adult male. Prospect, Rogue River Valley, Jackson County, Oregon. Collected 29 August 1896.

Cricetidae in the United States

Cricetidae is a large and diverse family of rodents and the second largest family of mammals. It includes rats and mice native to the Americas, voles, lemmings, muskrats, and true hamsters. This section will focus on the Cricetidae species commonly referred to as “rats” and “mice”; however, these names are not specific to a taxonomic group—"rat" is generally used to refer to larger rodents and "mouse" is used to refer to smaller rodents. For a comparison of voles, lemmings, and muskrats, please see Arvicolinae. Although commonly kept as pets, true hamsters (subfamily: Cricetinae) are not native to the Americas.

Northern Pygmy Mouse (Baiomys taylori)

Northern Pygmy Mouse (Baiomys taylori). A very small mouse. Dorsal pelage of adults varies from reddish brown, through gray to almost black above and white to creamy buff or gray below.

Golden Mouse (Ochrotomys nuttalli)

Golden Mouse (Ochrotomys nuttalli). A species with a very distinctive coat coloration that is golden-yellowish-orange to yellowish-brown above and whitish-orange below.

Grasshopper mice (Onychomys)

Grassopper mice (Onychomys) are Peromyscus-looking mice with very short tails.

Northern Grasshopper Mouse (Onychomys leucogaster). The dorsal coloration is gray in juveniles, molting to cinnamon-buff or reddish brown and becoming gray again in very old animals. The underparts are white or plumbeous. The distal part of the tail is often white.
Southern Grasshopper Mouse (Onychomys torridus). Upper parts grayish to pinkish cinnamon, underparts white and distinctly separated from upper parts. The tail is short and distally white.
Chihuahuan Grasshopper Mouse (Onychomys arenicola). Pinkish cinnamon or grayish buff upperparts and pure white underparts. The distal part of the tail is white.

Deer mice (Peromyscus)

Peromyscus contains species that are often extremely difficult to differentiate unless careful measurements are taken or genetic testing is conducted. Coloration is not always a reliable character as it can be quite variable, but also quite similar across species. Differentiating between P. maniculatus (sensu lato, which includes P. maniculatus, P. sonoriensis, P. gambelii, P. labecula, and P. melanotis) and P. leucopus using external characters is notoriously difficult in certain parts of the country and genetic testing may be required in order to be certain. While most of the Peromyscus look similar at first glance, P. truei has significantly larger ears (in most of its range) and P. keeni have very long tails. Peromyscus polionotus is a relatively small member of this genus. Species not pictured: California Deermouse (Peromyscus californicus), Saxicoline Deermouse (Peromyscus gratus), Southern Deermouse (Peromyscus labecula), Northern White-ankled Deermouse (Peromyscus laceianus), Merriam's Deermouse (Peromyscus merriami).

Texas Deermouse (Peromyscus attwateri)
Brush Deermouse (Peromyscus boylii)
Canyon Deermouse (Peromyscus crinitus)
Cactus Deermouse (Peromyscus eremicus)
Northern Baja Deermouse (Peromyscus fraterculus)
Gambel's Deermouse (Peromyscus gambelii)
Cotton Deermouse (Peromyscus gossypinus)
Northwestern Deermouse (Peromyscus keeni)
White-footed Deermouse (Peromyscus leucopus). Brown or grayish on the back, and sometimes with a darker mid-dorsal band. Ventral hairs are white with darker bases. Feet are white. The tail is indistinctly bicolored.
Eastern Deermouse (Peromyscus maniculatus). Back and sides are dark brown to grayish brown. Venter is white. Tail is typically strongly bicolored.
Black-eared Deermouse (Peromyscus melanotis). Pelage is tawny ochraceous to paler yellow brown. Tail is strongly bicolored. It owes its name to the distinctive tuft of dark hair at the base of the ear.
Northern Rock Deermouse (Peromyscus nasutus). Rather large, long-tailed, grayish buff mouse. Tail long and slightly tufted. Tops of front and hind feet (including ankles) white.
Oldfield Deermouse (Peromyscus polionotus). This is a small species. The individual shown is an adult. Color is variable and is usually similar to that of the substrate.
Western Deermouse (Peromyscus sonoriensis). Back and sides are dark brown to fawn. Venter is white. Tail is typically strongly bicolored.
Western Deermouse (Peromyscus sonoriensis), long-tailed population in Washington
Pinyon Deermouse (Peromyscus truei)

Florida Mouse (Podomys floridanus)

The Florida Deermouse (Podomys floridanus) is endemic to Florida. It is a large Peromyscus-looking mouse. It is the only species in the genus Podomys.

Florida Deermouse (Podomys floridanus). Color is usually brown to brownish-gray, with yellow-orange on cheeks, shoulders, and along the sides. The underside and feet are white. Ears are broad and eyes are prominent.

Harvest mice (Reithrodontomys)

Five species of Reithrodontomys are present in the United States. Members of Reithrodontomys are small and sometimes mistaken for the House Mouse (Mus musculus) and deer mice (Peromyscus). The presence of grooves on the upper incisors will separate Reithrodontomys from Peromyscus. Where R. megalotis and R. montanus are sympatric, careful measurements of the body and tail length may help to differentiate these two very similar-looking species. Species not pictured: Salt-marsh Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris), an endangered harvet mouse endemic to the San Francisco Bay Area salt marshes in California, which looks similar to Reithrodontomys megalotis.

Fulvous Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys fulvescens)
Eastern Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys humulis)
Western Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys megalotis)
Plains Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys montanus)

Marsh rice rats (Oryzomys)

Northwestern Marsh Rice Rat (Oryzomys texensis) observed by Jon McIntyre in Port Aransas, Texas.
Coues's Marsh Rice Rat (Oryzomys couesi). Dorsal view.
Northeastern Marsh Rice Rat (Oryzomys palustris). Dorsal view.

Woodrats (Neotoma)

Woodrats, also called pack rats for their collecting behavior, are fairly big rodents. They look like very large deer mice. They have stout bodies and long tails. The pelage of Neotoma has a smooth appearance, unlike the grizzled appearance of cotton rats. Species not pictured: Big-eared Woodrat (Neotoma macrotis).

White-throated Woodrat (Neotoma albigula) photographed by Rick Overson and Laura Steger in Arizona. A moderately large, brownish woodrat with a distinctly bicolored tail. The undersides and feet are white. The hairs on the throat are white to their base.
Bryant's Woodrat (Neotoma bryanti) observed in Baja California Sur, Mexico, by Alan Harper. A large woodrat with large ears. The dorsal coloration varies geographically. The underparts are white or off-white with a buff tint. The feet are white.
Bushy-tailed Woodrat (Neotoma cinerea). A large woodrat with a bushy tail. Color is typically ochraceous buff to gray often washed with black. Underparts and feet are white.
Arizona Woodrat (Neotoma devia). A small, dark woodrat with white feet.
Eastern Woodrat (Neotoma floridana). A medium-sized woodrat with brownish-gray colroation. Adults in the summer are more brightly colored above, tending toward cinnamon. Underparts and feet are white. Tail is strongly bicolored.
Dusky-footed Woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes) observed by Christian Naventi in Inverness, California. A large wood rat with a grayish brown dorsum and a pale or white venter. The feet are brown at the base, with the distal half white.
Desert Woodrat (Neotoma lepida) photographed in Arizona by Rick Overson and Laura Steger. A small yellow-buff to buffy gray woodrat. The tail is sharply bicolored in younger individuals. The underparts are whitish to buff. The feet are white.
White-toothed Woodrat (Neotoma leucodon) observed in Durango, Mexico, by gabinus2003. A medium-sized woodrat with large ears and dull pinkish buff upperparts. Underparts and feet are white. The hairs on the throat are white to their base.
Allegheny Woodrat (Neotoma magister) observed by Amiel Hopkins in Pendleton County, West Virginia. A medium-sized woodrat with pelage that is soft and gray or brownish-gray on the dorsum and white on the ventrum.
Mexican Woodrat (Neotoma mexicana) photographed by Rick Overson and Laura Steger in Arizona. A medium-sized woodrat with variable dorsal coloration ranging from dark gray to grayish buff to grayish yellow. Underparts and feet are white.
Southern Plains Woodrat (Neotoma micropus) observed in Texas by Greg Lasley. A large, gray-colored woodrat with large ears and relatively short, heavy, sparsely haired tail. Underparts and feet are white.
Stephens's Woodrat (Neotoma stephensi) photographed by Rick Overson and Laura Steger in Arizona. A relatively small woodrat that is pale yellow to buff-gray in color. Dusky coloration extends down the top of hind foot one-fourth to one-third the distance below the ankle. The tail is slightly bushy.

Cotton rats (Sigmodon)

Sigmodon are recognized by their stout body, coarse and grizzled pelage, and somewhat short ears. The name Sigmodon refers to the more or less "S" shape formed by the cusps on the molars, especially those of the third molar. Species not pictured: Yellow-nosed Cotton Rat (Sigmodon ochrognathus). Sigmodon ochrognathus has a conspicuous "yellow" nose. Sigmodon fulviventer has underparts that are distinctly brownish, buffy, or fulvous, extending from throat to anus. Sigmodon hispidus and Sigmodon arizonae look superficially similar but are allopatric (ranges do not overlap).

Arizona Cotton Rat (Sigmodon arizonae) photographed by Gordon Karre in Gilbert, Arizona.
Tawny-bellied Cotton Rat (Sigmodon fulviventer) observed by Ricardo Arredondo T. in Coeneo, Michoacán, México.
Hispid Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus) observed by Bob Oswald in Gainesville, Florida.
Yellow-nosed Cotton Rat (Sigmodon ochrognathus) observed by Pete Siminski.

Root Vole (Alexandromys oeconomus)

Root Vole (Alexandromys oeconomus). Body fur is golden brown, which is darker to rusty brown on the back and more golden or grayish on the sides and rump. Belly fur is grayish white often with a buffy wash.

Tree voles (Arborimus)

White-footed Vole (Arborimus albipes) observed by Lisa Feldkamp in Portland, Oregon. A small, dark brown vole found in the redwood forests of California and Oregon.
Red Tree Vole (Arborimus longicaudus). A small, bright chestnut red or brick red vole found in the old growth forests of Oregon and northern California.
Sonoma Tree Vole (Arborimus pomo) observed by fishwrangler in Humboldt County, California. A small, reddish brown vole found in the old growth forests of northern California.

Red-backed voles (Clethrionomys, previously Myodes)

Species not pictured: Western Red-backed Vole (Clethrionomys californicus).

Southern Red-backed Vole (Clethrionomys gapperi). This species has a broad band of chestnut-colored fur along their back from forehead to tail. In some populations, melanistic individuals may occur that have sooty black dorsal stripes.
Northern Red-backed Vole (Clethrionomys rutilus). This species has a broad rufous band of fur along their back from forehead to tail. In some populations, melanistic individuals may occur that have sooty black dorsal stripes.

Sagebrush Vole (Lemmiscus curtatus)

Sagebrush Vole (Lemmiscus curtatus). A small vole. The dorsal pelage is buff-gray to gray with the sides paler in color. The tail is distinctly short.

Meadow voles (Microtus)

Species not pictured: Gray-tailed Vole (Microtus canicaudus), Rock Vole (Microtus chrotorrhinus), Florida Salt Marsh Vole (Microtus dukecampbelli), Mogollon Vole (Microtus mogollonensis), Townsend's Vole (Microtus townsendii).

Singing Vole (Microtus abbreviatus). Pelage color is variable throughout the distribution, from pale buffy gray to pale ochraceous to pale tawny.
California Vole (Microtus californicus). Dorsal pelage is cinnamon-brown to tawny olive with dark brown to black hairs.
Western Meadow Vole (Microtus drummondii). Dorsal color is usually dark gray-brown to chestnut.
Long-tailed Vole (Microtus longicaudus). Pelage color ranges from dull grayish through brownish gray to dark sepia brown. The tail is long.
Montane Vole (Microtus montanus). Pelage is brownish, often with a buffy or gray wash. Individuals in the southwestern part of the range are generally darker brown.
Prairie Vole (Microtus ochrogaster). Dorsal coloration ranges from grayish-brown to reddish.
Creeping Vole (Microtus oregoni). A small vole with tiny eyes. The dorsum is sooty gray to dark brown or black.
Eastern Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus). The dorsum varies from yellowish-chestnut to dark chestnut-brown to blackish or grayish with slightly paler sides.
Woodland Vole (Microtus pinetorum). Fur is dark reddish-brown dorsally, paler on the sides, and gray washed with brown ventrally.
North American Water Vole (Microtus richardsoni), note the scale bar; this is the largest vole in North America. The upperparts are grayish sepia to dark sepia or dark reddish brown, often darkened with black-tipped hairs. The fur on the underparts is plumbeous.
Taiga Vole (Microtus xanthognathus), subadult. This is one of the largest voles in the genus. Upper parts are dark sepia to bister and heavily lined with coarse black hairs on back. Adults have a conspicuous rusty-yellowish color about the whisker area.

Heather voles (Phenacomys)

Species not pictured: Eastern Heather Vole (Phenacomys ungava). As a juvenile or subadult, Phenacomys intermedius may be mistaken for Lemmiscus curtatus. As an adult, Phenacomys intermedius species may be confused with Microtus montanus.

Western Heather Vole (Phenacomys intermedius). A rather small vole. Dorsal color ranges from brown to grayish. The venter is silvery gray. Usually, there are stiff, orangish brown hairs in the ears.
Western Heather Vole (Phenacomys intermedius), subadult

Collared lemmings (Dicrostonyx)

Members of Dicrostonyx are the only rodents in North America that turn white in winter.

Nearctic Collared Lemming (Dicrostonyx groenlandicus) observed by Samuel Brinker in Canada.
Nelson's Collared Lemming (Dicrostonyx nelsoni). Dorsal view.
Unalaska Collared Lemming (Dicrostonyx unalascensis). Dorsal view.

True lemmings (Lemmus)

Beringian Brown Lemming (Lemmus nigripes)
Nearctic Brown Lemming (Lemmus trimucronatus) observed by Julia Carr in British Columbia, Canada.

Bog Lemmings (Mictomys and Synaptomys)

Northern Bog Lemming (Mictomys borealis)
Southern Bog Lemming (Synaptomys cooperi)