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Lemming

Lemming Facts

Size 3-6 inches (8-15 cm)
Speed Up to 3 mph (5 km/h)
Weight 1.4-5.2 ounces (40-150 grams)
Lifespan 1-2 years
Food Moss, grasses, berries, herbs
Predators Owls, foxes, wolves, weasels, ermines
Habitat Northern Europe, Asia, North America
Order Rodents
Family Cricetidae
Scientific name Lemmus
Characteristics Small rodent, reproduces quickly, lives under the snow in winter

Main Characteristics

Lemmings are small rodents known for their rapid reproduction. When their population becomes too large in one area, they migrate in search of new habitats. They're closely related to mice.

Norway Lemming Norway Lemming - Photo: BMJ/Shutterstock

Species

Lemmings are part of the arvicolinae family, which also includes voles and muskrats. There are several species, including the Norway lemming, the West Siberian lemming, the Canadian brown lemming, and the collared lemming.


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Distribution and Habitat

Lemmings can be found in Norway, Siberia, Asia, northern Canada, and Alaska. They thrive in the Arctic tundra environment.

Way of Life

Lemmings are active both day and night, only taking a quick nap when they're tired. When they're not foraging for food, they hide in their burrows underground, where they are safe from predators and the cold. While they are generally solitary creatures, they come together in large groups when searching for a new habitat or a mate. It's a common myth that they collectively leap off cliffs, but that's not true.

Lemming Characteristics Lemming Characteristics - Photo: Martin Hejzlar/Shutterstock

Anatomy and Appearance

Size and Weight

Lemmings measure 3-6 inches (8-15 cm) in body length, with tails being 0.4-0.8 inches (1-2 cm) long. Their weight ranges from 1.4-5.2 ounces (40-150 grams).

Coat

Lemmings have a waterproof coat that is typically gray or brown. However, the Norway lemming stands out with its striking, multicolored fur, featuring shades of light brown, reddish-brown, and dark brown. Interestingly, the collared lemming is unique in that it changes its fur color in winter, turning completely white.


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Teeth and Claws

Lemmings have really sharp teeth and claws. They help them cut grass, moss, and leaves or pull them out from tiny cracks in rocks.

Lemming or Hamster – What's the Difference? Lemming or Hamster – What's the Difference? - Photo: Andreaze (left) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons, Gerhard Payer (right)/Wirestock Creators (European hamster)/stock.adobe.com

Lemming or Hamster – What's the Difference?

The Norway lemming looks a lot like the European hamster. Are they related? Yes, they are both part of the cricetidae family, but they belong to different subfamilies. European hamsters are at least twice as big and weigh double as much. Their ears are much larger too. There are more differences: hamsters don’t eat grasses and moss but grain. They live in fields, gardens, and meadows, not in the tundra. Their behavior is different as well. When hamsters feel threatened, they run away, while lemmings will defend themselves.

Diet

Lemmings are herbivores. They eat grass, moss, leaves, buds, bark, twigs, and seeds.

Adataptions to the Habitat

Surviving in the Arctic tundra is quite a challenge. The temperatures are extremely low, and food is scarce. Lemmings have made remarkable adaptations:

Small Ears and Short Legs

Lemmings have very small ears and short legs, which help them retain warmth more effectively.

Camouflage in the Snow

In winter, collared lemmings change their color from brown to white. They venture out of their burrows more often during this season and are perfectly camouflaged with their white fur.

Insulating Winter Coat

In winter, lemmings grow a thick, insulating coat that keeps them warm.

Winter Claws

The collared lemming develops "winter claws" on its third and fourth toes during the winter. These claws are longer than those in summer and resemble small shovels, aiding them in digging for food in the snow.

Norway Lemming Norway Lemming - Photo: Karelian/Shutterstock

Behavior

Burrow Construction

Lemmings build cozy burrows, lining them with soft materials like wool, grass, and feathers to enhance their comfort.

Hibernation

Lemmings don't hibernate. Their underground burrows remain frost-free, allowing them to stay active during the cold winter months. They only leave their burrow to search for food.

Sounds

Lemmings emit high-pitched squeals to deter potential threats.

Defense

Lemmings are known for their aggressive nature and remarkable bravery. When threatened by predators, they scream and bite to ward them off.

Migrations

Due to Overcrowding

Lemmings experience a massive population boom every four years. This leads to them living in very close quarters, which can be quite bothersome since they are solitary creatures. As a result, they set off in search of more food and space and thousands of them march across the tundra.

Obstacles

These migrations are incredibly exhausting, and many lemmings unfortunately starve along the way. Occasionally, they encounter obstacles, such as a lake. While they are adept at swimming, sometimes the lake is simply too vast or the river too turbulent. Consequently, many of them drown. Once they reach a new home, the surviving lemmings quickly reproduce again.

Canadian Lemming Canadian Lemming - Photo: DavidBolduc [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Abilities and Senses

Swimming

During their journeys, lemmings often need to cross small stretches of water. Fortunately, they are excellent swimmers and even have waterproof fur. The widespread myth that they intentionally jump into the water to drown is not true.

The Life Cycle of Lemmings

The "Normal" Cycle

During the Arctic summer, lemmings become prey for arctic foxes, snowy owls, and skuas. When lemming populations are high, these predators have plenty to eat and can reproduce rapidly. However, this leads to an overpopulation of predators and a shortage of lemmings, resulting in many predators starving. In winter, lemmings can then reproduce again, and the cycle starts anew.

Every Four Years, They Reproduce Explosively

Every four years, there is a significant increase in the lemming population. Shortly after, their numbers drop dramatically. This occurs for two main reasons. First, the stoat, unlike other predators, hunts lemmings even in winter. Second, the stoat only has offspring once a year. As a result, it takes four years for the population of hungry stoats to grow large enough to cause a sudden and significant decline in lemming numbers. Thus, the stoat is primarily responsible for their mass die-off.

Lemming Illustration: Silke/tierchenwelt.de

Life Expectancy

In the wild, lemmings typically live for just 1-2 years.

Predators and Threats

Natural Enemies

Lemmings face numerous predators. They are hunted by Arctic foxes, snowy owls, skuas, stoats, weasels, owls, foxes, and wolves.

Human Impact

Climate change poses the greatest threat to lemmings. The snow in their homes is melting away. At first, it might seem like this is good for them since they won’t be as cold. However, the changes in their environment actually make things harder. Their burrows are less safe because the ground isn’t frozen anymore. They have to stay above ground more often, which puts them at risk from predators and bad weather. Their migrations become more difficult as they have to navigate uneven terrain.

Conservation Status

Lemmings aren't considered an endangered species.

Lemming Photo: Joy Anders Wiken/stock.adobe.com

Importance for the Ecosystem

Lemmings play a crucial role in the ecosystem, primarily as prey for a variety of predators. A decline in lemming populations can disrupt the delicate balance of the Arctic tundra.

Reproduction

Lemmings reproduce at a rapid pace. The babies are born after a gestation period of about three weeks, weighing only 0.1 ounces (3 grams) at birth. Initially, they stay in their cozy burrow to avoid freezing during the harsh Arctic winter. They open their eyes after 11 days and start walking by 15 days old. By the time they are 5-6 weeks, they reach maturity and are capable of having offspring. Female lemmings can give birth to young up to eight times in their lifetime, with each litter typically consisting of 5-6 babies.

Lemmings As Pets

When talking about pet lemmings, people are actually referring to the steppe lemming. However, it isn't a true lemming; it belongs to the Lagurini family. Still, the two types are closely related.

Lemming Photo: Shandarov Arkadii/Shutterstock

Fun Facts

Lemmings Don't Commit Suicide

It is said that lemmings jump off cliffs in droves to commit suicide, a notion that even inspired a video game of the same name. However, this idea is completely false. The blame lies with the Disney film "White Wilderness," where filmmakers allegedly manipulated the footage. Rumor has it that they not only recorded a misleading narration but also staged nearly all the scenes depicting the mass suicide.

Don't Be a Lemming

"Don't be a lemming" is a well-known saying. It means that a person shouldn't just follow what everyone else is doing without thinking for themselves. The saying comes from the mistaken belief that lemmings mindlessly follow each other and jump off cliffs in big groups.

The Lemming Is Related To:

  • Hamster
  • Mouse

Animals in the Same Biome:


Sources:


Rodent Species Fact Sheets


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