The nexus of hair corticosterone level, immunocompetence, metabolic rates and overwinter survival in the root vole, Microtus oeconomus.

•Individuals with low hair corticosterone better survive an early winter.•Hair corticosterone is a significant predictor of variation of the whole body RMR.•Hair corticosterone is not significantly associated with variation of innate immunity.•Intensity of infestation with Babesia spp. negatively correlates with hair corticosterone.