Which feature differentiates vole girdling from damage by other animals?

Which feature differentiates vole girdling from damage by other animals?

• A. Uniform gnaw marks
• B. Non-uniform gnaw marks
• C. Gnaw marks only on soft tissue
• D. Gnaw marks on metal surfaces

Answer: (B)

Vole girdling is best identified by the irregular, patchy pattern of gnawing around the stem. Voles gnaw at multiple spots as they move along the trunk near the soil line, so the marks around the circumference tend to be uneven in spacing and depth rather than forming a perfect, continuous circle. This non-uniform gnawing distinguishes vole damage from other animals, which often produce more uniform or differently patterned damage. Other choices don’t fit because a perfectly uniform ring would be more characteristic of consistent, single-line gnawing, gnawing limited to soft tissue wouldn’t create a true girdle around the trunk, and gnawing on metal surfaces isn’t relevant to this type of crop damage.

Vole girdling is best identified by the irregular, patchy pattern of gnawing around the stem. Voles gnaw at multiple spots as they move along the trunk near the soil line, so the marks around the circumference tend to be uneven in spacing and depth rather than forming a perfect, continuous circle. This non-uniform gnawing distinguishes vole damage from other animals, which often produce more uniform or differently patterned damage. Other choices don’t fit because a perfectly uniform ring would be more characteristic of consistent, single-line gnawing, gnawing limited to soft tissue wouldn’t create a true girdle around the trunk, and gnawing on metal surfaces isn’t relevant to this type of crop damage.