The white-tailed pine vole belongs to the subfamily of voles (Arvicolinae). The previous classification status was very confusing, but Liu Shaoying et al. (2012, 2017) confirmed that it belongs to the genus Arvicolinae through molecular systematic research. This species is distributed at high altitudes, generally above 3500m, and inhabits areas with degraded vegetation, large human disturbance, sandy soil, and dry grassland. It is also found in cultivated land that has been abandoned for more than 3-4 years. In its distribution area, the population density is very large and it is easy to catch. The food is mainly plants of the Gramineae and Cyperaceae, and it also forages for barley grains.
This species has been included in the "National List of Terrestrial Wildlife with Important Economic and Scientific Research Value" issued by the State Forestry Administration of China on August 1, 2000.
Listed in the 2013 Red List of Endangered Species of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) ver3.1—Low Risk (LC).
