The secondary habitats are mainly agricultural fields, where shallow sloped areas are preferred.

These ratios depict an intense competition for female mates, which leads to higher mortality and dispersal rates among the males.

Population density varies seasonally and exhibits a considerable long-term fluctuation that shows typically three-year or five-year cycles.

Not only influenced by population level, reproduction rate can change with the amount and quality of food and light.

However, M. arvalis is one of the main food sources of a considerable number of predators in Central Europe.

M. arvalis maintains aboveground runways, which expand like a railway-system through the entire home range.

Underground nests are dug 30–40 cm (12–16 in) deep into the ground and are used for food storage, offspring raising, and as a place for rest and sleep.