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Vole research is indicating that fidelity may be genetic. It seems that less than 5% of mammals are naturally [[monogamous]]. This number includes the prairie voles, ''Microtus ochrogaster'', which guard their mate and help rear their young. Meadow voles, ''Microtus pennsylvanicus'', skip blithely from mate to mate and mainly ignore their offspring. Researchers found that meadow voles had fewer vasopressin receptors in their forebrains than prairie voles. To test the theory that the receptor and the behaviour were connected, they gave meadow voles extra vasopressin receptors. The former Don Juans reformed and stayed true to just one mate, even when other females tempted them. Scientists believe that the release of vasopressin during mating acts as a reward, picked up by the extra receptors, making the voles associate those feelings with that mate and encouraging fidelity. <ref>http://www.corante.com/loom/archives/004394.html</ref>

Vole research is indicating that fidelity may be genetic. It seems that less than 5% of mammals are naturally [[monogamous]]. This number includes the prairie voles, ''Microtus ochrogaster'', which guard their mate and help rear their young. Meadow voles, ''Microtus pennsylvanicus'', skip blithely from mate to mate and mainly ignore their offspring. Researchers found that meadow voles had fewer vasopressin receptors in their forebrains than prairie voles. To test the theory that the receptor and the behaviour were connected, they gave meadow voles extra vasopressin receptors. The former Don Juans reformed and stayed true to just one mate, even when other females tempted them. Scientists believe that the release of vasopressin during mating acts as a reward, picked up by the extra receptors, making the voles associate those feelings with that mate and encouraging fidelity. <ref>http://www.corante.com/loom/archives/004394.html</ref>

Similar hormones and pathways may be involved in human behaviour, as vasopressin is also released when humans have sex, although in voles the sense of smell is far more important than it is in humans. It is interesting to speculate how far scientific conclusions about human love may based on pair-bonding in prairie voles. However, researchers are focusing on implications for autism, where social interaction is abnormal and vasopressin may be involved. Mountain voles – another promiscuous species like meadow voles – have the highest rate of sex of any mammal in the animal world. <ref>http://www.corante.com/loom/archives/004394.html</ref>

Similar hormones and pathways may be involved in human behaviour, as vasopressin is also released when humans have sex, although in voles the sense of smell is far more important than it is in humans. However, researchers are focusing on implications for autism, where social interaction is abnormal and vasopressin may be involved. Mountain voles – another promiscuous species like meadow voles – have the highest rate of sex of any mammal in the animal world. <ref>http://www.corante.com/loom/archives/004394.html</ref>

   

   

Voles use their hind feet and a somersault action to dig their tunnels. Voles’ sense of touch must make up for their poor hearing and vision. Their tails and whiskers are very sensitive to touch and help voles to burrow. Vole teeth, like those of many other rodents, grow constantly, so they need to gnaw to keep their teeth ground to a short enough length. They are not known to hibernate. Voles can carry rabies and also plague-bearing fleas. <ref>http://www.unitedwildlife.com/AnimalsVoles.html</ref>

Voles use their hind feet and a somersault action to dig their tunnels. Voles’ sense of touch must make up for their poor hearing and vision. Their tails and whiskers are very sensitive to touch and help voles to burrow. Vole teeth, like those of many other rodents, grow constantly, so they need to gnaw to keep their teeth ground to a short enough length. They are not known to hibernate. Voles can carry rabies and also plague-bearing fleas. <ref>http://www.unitedwildlife.com/AnimalsVoles.html</ref>