Creatures & RTVs

The Northwest Ecosystem Survey Team protects old-growth forests from logging by conducting home invasions of red tree vole nests and taking their shit. The good shit will protect a ten-acre buffer zone around the nest. Over the years, NEST has documented hundreds of active nests.

The red tree vole is a small rodent found in the coastal mountains and western Cascades of Oregon. This vole has a unique life history and highly specialized ecological niche. Of the approximately 70 vole species worldwide, the tree vole is unique in that it lives its life in the canopy of old-growth forests rather than on the ground. Due to their arboreal nature, relatively little is known about the critter.

Red tree voles are small, usually 6-8 inches including their long tail. Their coats vary depending on location ranging from dark reddish brown towards the northern range, lightening to an orange-red and cinnamon along the southern coast. Their feet are long and wide, adapted for climbing. They are nocturnal, secretive, and vital to coastal forest ecosystems.

Douglas Fir needles are their only food source, as well as their only water source. Moisture from rain and fog is licked off of the needles. The resin ducts are then removed and the internal needle eaten. Young red tree voles must eat excrement from adults to obtain bacteria to digest the pine needles.