European Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus citellus) 

Order: Rodentia | Family: Sciuridae

Biology: A colonial, diurnal species that hibernates from August to March, depending on environmental conditions. Females give birth to 5–7 young in April, which reach independence and colonize new areas within a month.

Habitat: Meadow and steppe ecosystems.

Ecological Role: This herbivore feeds on bulbs and rhizomes and emits sharp alarm calls when threatened. It serves as a primary prey species for carnivorous mammals and birds of prey.

Conservation Status: A rare species, listed in The Red Book of the Republic of Moldova (VU) and the IUCN Red List (EN).

Speckled Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus suslicus)

Order: Rodentia | Family: Sciuridae

Biology: A colonial, diurnal species that hibernates from August–September until February–March. Females give birth to 5–7 young in March–April; the offspring emerge in June and begin colonizing new areas after one month.

Habitat: Pastures and open landscapes.

Ecological Role: This herbivore feeds on bulbs, rhizomes, and seeds (occasionally insects) and is known for its piercing alarm calls. It serves as a vital food source for carnivorous mammals and birds of prey.

Conservation Status: Listed in The Red Book of the Republic of Moldova (VU) and the IUCN Red List (EN).

Hazel Dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius)

Order: Rodentia | Family: Gliridae/ Myoxidae

Biology: A small nocturnal rodent (17 – 20 g). Following a gestation period of 22 – 24 days, litters of 5-6 young are born. The offspring become independent after about 40 days, starting their own lives toward the end of July.

Habitat: Adapted for arboreal life, it thrives in tree canopies and shrubbery. It hibernates on the ground, sheltered under logs or leaf litter. In spring, it nests in the underbrush, showing a clear preference for hazel-rich sectors.

Ecological Role: It feeds on wild berries and nuts, with hazelnuts being vital for building up fat reserves before hibernation. During cold and wet summer spells when food is scarce, it conserves energy by entering a state of torpor—curling into a ball and falling asleep. Its average lifespan is approximately 3 years.

Conservation Status: IUCN Red List – LC.

Edible Dormouse (Glis glis)

Order: Rodentia | Family: Gliridae/ Myoxidae

Biology: A medium-sized nocturnal rodent (120 – 150 g). The breeding season runs from late June to mid-August, though they do not reproduce every year. Following a gestation period of 25 – 30 days, females typically give birth to 4-5 young. They reach sexual maturity after their second hibernation.

Habitat: It prefers mature forests and old orchards with hollow trees. In Moldova, it is found in the Central Codrii; it is rare in the north and absent in the south.

Ecological Role: It feeds on seeds and fruits, and occasionally on insects, eggs, and nestlings. The lifespan is approximately 5 years.

Conservation Status: Listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Moldova [VU] and in the IUCN Red List – LC.

Forest Dormouse (Dryomys nitedula)

Order: Rodentia | Family: Gliridae/ Myoxidae

Biology: A highly territorial nocturnal species that lives in groups and spends much of its time in trees. Weight: 20-34 g. It hibernates from October-November until April. The breeding season begins in the second half of April and includes young individuals born the previous year. Gestation lasts approximately four weeks. Females over 3 years old give birth to 6-7 young, while younger ones have 2-5. They reach sexual maturity the following year.

Habitat: Found in most forests, planted forest belts, orchards, and rows of trees along roadsides.

Ecological Role: After hibernation, its primary diet consists of small invertebrates, nestlings, buds, shoots, and green plant parts, later shifting predominantly to fruits, nuts, and seeds. The average lifespan is 4–5 years.

Conservation Status: In the IUCN Red List – LC.

Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)

Order: Rodentia | Family: Sciuridae

Biology: A solitary species active during the day. Mating begins in February - March, and again during the summer in June - July. Its nest is well-camouflaged within tree crowns or hollows and lined with dry leaves. Females give birth 1-2 times a year, averaging 3 young per litter. Gestation lasts approximately 38–40 days. The young become independent at two months old.

Habitat: Found in most forests, as well as in parks and squares within both rural and urban settlements.

Ecological Role: It feeds primarily on hazelnuts, walnuts, seeds, kernels, and wild berries, also consuming insects. Its lifespan is 6 – 8 years.

Conservation Status: In the IUCN Red List – LC.

Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus)

Order: Rodentia | Family: Cricetidae

Biology: A semi-aquatic rodent that digs burrows into banks and dikes. Weight: 700-1800 g. An excellent swimmer, it can remain underwater for up to 17 minutes. The muskrat marks its territory using a scented substance called musk. Breeding takes place from spring to autumn, with multiple matings occurring. A female gives birth 3-4 times a year. Gestation lasts 21-30 days, resulting in 2-14 young per litter.

Habitat: Water banks with abundant vegetation.

Ecological Role: It consumes aquatic plants but also eats food of animal origin. Natural enemies include the fox, marsh harrier, otter, etc. It can cause damage through the burrows it constructs in dikes. Longevity – 4 years.

Conservation Status: In the IUCN Red List – LC.

Striped Field Mouse (Apodemus agrarius)

Order: Rodentia | Family: Muridae

Biology: A small rodent weighing 20–50 g. Reproduction occurs from March to October, with 3–5 litters per year, averaging 6 young per litter. The young are weaned at three weeks and reach sexual maturity within a few months. It digs shallow burrows. Its activity is nocturnal during the summer and predominantly diurnal during the winter. It does not hibernate.

Habitat: Forests, cultivated fields, vineyards, orchards, meadows, marshes, pastures, gardens, and urban areas, with a strong preference for damp environments.

Ecological Role: It has a varied diet consisting of green plant parts, roots, seeds, berries, nuts, and insects. Its lifespan is 1–2 years.

Conservation Status: In the IUCN Red List – LC. 

European Water Vole (Arvicola amphibius)

Order: Rodentia | Family: Cricetidae

Biology: A semiaquatic rodent weighing 60–140 g. The breeding season begins in March and continues until October. Females produce 2–4 litters per year, averaging 7 young per litter, which reach maturity at 50–70 days of age. They burrow into riverbanks, ditches, and pond edges, living in underground galleries or terrestrial nests, as well as in reedbeds where they construct round nests. They occasionally disperse into forests, fields, and gardens. During winter, they live beneath the snow. 

Habitat: Aquatic ecosystems, specifically the banks of water bodies with abundant vegetation. 

Ecological Role: It serves as a primary food source for many predatory animal species. It can cause crop damage, but its population in Moldova is small and does not inflict significant agricultural losses. Its lifespan is approximately five months in the wild and up to two and a half years in captivity. 

Conservation Status: In the IUCN Red List – LC. 

Yellow-necked Mouse (Apodemus flavicollis)

Order: Rodentia | Family: Muridae

Biology: A small rodent weighing 20–50 g. Breeding occurs from March to October. Following a gestation period of approximately 25 days, females produce litters of 2–11 young. Weaning occurs at three weeks, and sexual maturity is attained within a few months. The species does not hibernate. 

Habitat: Forest ecosystems, plantations, shelterbelts, understory thickets, orchards, and agricultural land adjacent to woodlands. 

Ecological Role: Primarily granivorous, it incorporates up to 20% invertebrates into its diet. An agile climber, it frequently occupies artificial nest boxes and forages efficiently both in the canopy and on the ground. Its lifespan is 1–2 years. 

Conservation Status: In the IUCN Red List – LC. 

Grey Dwarf Hamster (Nothocricetulus migratorius)

Order: Rodentia | Family: Cricetidae

Biology: A nocturnal and crepuscular rodent that constructs complex burrow systems extending up to 150 cm below the surface. It remains active throughout the winter. Breeding occurs during the summer, with females producing up to three litters annually. Litter size ranges from two to thirteen offspring, averaging 6–7 young. The gestation period lasts approximately three weeks. 

Habitat: Inhabits unmanaged orchards, grasslands, forage crops, and shelterbelts, though it occurs less frequently within typical steppe zones. 

Ecological Role: While it feeds on roots, green vegetation, and seeds, its diet includes a significant animal matter component—such as mollusks, caterpillars, insect larvae, and beetles—setting it apart from many other rodents. Its lifespan is 1–1.5 years. 

Conservation Status: In the IUCN Red List – LC. 

Common Vole (Microtus arvalis)

Order: Rodentia | Family: Cricetidae

Biology: A medium-sized rodent with a breeding season typically extending from February to October, though it can breed year-round under optimal conditions. Following a three-week gestation period, females produce 2–5 litters annually, averaging 6 young per litter. While reproduction intensifies during the spring, population growth drops sharply as grain crops mature. 

Habitat: Steppe and forest-steppe zones. It colonizes open terrain with natural vegetation, as well as agricultural landscapes, particularly perennial forage crops, grasses, maize, and sunflowers. 

Ecological Role: During population eruptions, it can cause severe agricultural damage by foraging on green vegetation, seeds, roots, tubers, bulbs, and tree bark. It serves as a primary prey base for carnivorous mammals, raptors, and rodent-eating snakes. Its lifespan is 1–1.5 years. 

Conservation Status: In the IUCN Red List – LC.