Long-tailed vole is one of the better-documented small mammals in Wyoming, with 722 records spread across wet meadows and streamside cover near Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge, the National Elk Refuge, and the Yellowstone River corridor. Only two of those came from iNaturalist, so nearly everything known about this vole in the state comes from trapping and survey data rather than casual photos, not surprising for a rodent that moves through loose cover instead of sitting still for a camera.
Reports spike hard in July, more than double any other month, which likely tracks summer fieldwork and trail season rather than a true jump in vole numbers, since the species stays active through much of the year. NatureServe lists it as secure in Wyoming (S5), matching its broad range across cool, damp corners of the West. Unlike most voles, it doesn’t stick to worn runways, so finding one usually means finding the right kind of damp, sheltered ground rather than following a trail.
Full species profile
