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| Distribution |
In NC, it occurs only in the mountain province, essentially in all counties there, at elevations above 2,500 feet.
An extensive range from coast to coast, ranging north to most of Canada, and south in major mountain ranges in the United States -- the Appalachians and the Rockies; it is absent in most of the United States in non-montane regions. |
| Abundance |
Abundant at higher elevations, and common at middle elevations, down to about 2,500 feet. |
| Seasonal Occurrence |
Active year-round, even at its high elevations. |
| Habitat |
Favors cool and moist forests, with spruce-fir stands being preferred. Also occurs in other cool forests, such as (formerly) hemlock stands, cove forests, or other forests with much rhododendron. An abundance of logs, rocks, or roots are favored.
See also Habitat Account for General Montane Mesic Forests |
| Behavior |
Primarily nocturnal, but sometimes active by day. Utilizing existing runways or burrows, or utilizes natural cover of logs, rocks, etc., for foraging and roosting. |
| Comments |
This may well be the state's most abundant mammal within the spruce-fir zone. The subspecies in NC -- carolinensis -- is endemic to the southern Appalachians. |
| Origin |
Native |
| NC List |
Official |
 State Rank |
S5 |
| State Status |
|
| Global Rank |
G5 |
| Federal Status |
|
| subspecies |
Myodes gapperi carolinensis |
| other_comName |
Red-backed Vole |
| synonym |
Clethrionomys gapperi |
