Voles

[chairman]

I have recently discovered that I have some voles living in/around my tortoise shed. From everything I have researched they appear to be fairly strict herbivores that may occasionally eat parasitic insects when they groom themselves. I have found nothing that suggests that they're opportunistic feeders when it comes to meat sources such as my tortoise. I understand that the voles may steal some tortoise food, and they appear to be nibbling on tortoise poop, but is it safe for me to allow them to live? I would exterminate mice, rats, or shrews in a heartbeat, but if voles are harmless I'd prefer not to kill them.

Any thoughts?

 

[Yvonne G]

I'm of the school live and let live. (You should see all the wasp nest around my property) I don't think a vole would cause a tortoise any problems. I'm sure they probably live together in the wild.

 

[moswen]

i agree with yvonne. no harm in letting them live

 

[dmmj]

what about them attracting animals that eat voles?

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and possibly tortoises

 

[Maggie Cummings]

The next thing you know you'll have voles in your house. I didn't know I did until my indoor house cat brought me 2 voles. She never goes outside, so where in the heck did she get voles??? In my bedroom??? I say kill'em!!!