Lemming

Tunturisopuli Lemmus Lemmus

Karikatur von Gerhard Mester zum Thema Klima und Zukunft O11184

Lemmings are small rodents, usually found in or near the Arctic, in tundra biomes. They are subnaturally grouped within the Cricetidae family, which also includes other small mammals like hamsters, mice, and voles. Lemmings are known for their cyclic population booms and dramatic declines, which have led to widespread myths about their behavior.

Description

Lemmings are characterized by their stout bodies, short legs, and short tails. They have a dense, soft fur that varies in color depending on the species, ranging from brown to gray, and are adapted to cold environments. Their adaptations include small ears and tails to minimize heat loss, and large, fur-covered feet for digging through snow. Lemmings are herbivorous, feeding primarily on mosses, grasses, and other vegetation.

Behavior

One of the most notable aspects of lemming behavior is their population cycles. Approximately every three to four years, populations of certain lemming species will explode, leading to mass migrations in search of food. These migrations can sometimes result in large numbers of lemmings drowning if they attempt to cross bodies of water. This has led to the myth that lemmings commit mass suicide, a misconception popularized by staged scenes in the 1958 Disney documentary White Wilderness.

Lemmings are solitary animals outside of their breeding season. They are active both day and night, relying on their burrows in the snow or ground to protect them from predators and the harsh Arctic climate.

Reproduction

Lemmings have a high reproductive rate, which contributes to their population cycles. They can breed throughout the year, but this is more common in the summer. Females can produce several litters annually, with each litter consisting of three to six young.

Conservation Status

Most lemming species are not currently considered endangered. Their populations are naturally cyclical, and they are a crucial part of the Arctic ecosystem, serving as a food source for various predators, including Arctic foxes, stoats, and owls. However, climate change poses a potential threat to their habitat and could impact their population dynamics.

In Culture

Lemmings have often been portrayed in popular culture, sometimes inaccurately, due to the myth of mass suicide. They have been featured in video games, such as the puzzle game Lemmings (1991), where players guide a group of lemmings through obstacles to safety.

See Also

• Rodent
• Arctic wildlife
• Population cycle