Brown Lemming

scientific name

Lemmus sibiricus

size

Head/Body. 4-4½"
Tail Length. 1.2-1.6"
Weight. 0.6-0.7 lb.

characteristics

Body. chubby " small
Coat. long " thick " warm " waterproof " good insulator
Voice. each species has distinct call " expresses alarm, threaten, & in courtship & mating

behavior

does not hibernate " tunnels under snow & builds nests
Fighting. frequently among themselves, especially when overcrowding exists
Migration. search for more suitable habitat when overcrowded or food is scarce
Population Fluctuation. 3-4 yr. intervals
Territory. defined by scent marking

lemming suicide

Does Not Commit Suicide. migration normal response to over-population & food scarcity " implied suicide is geographical artifact " naturally bottleneck at streams & cliffs searching for way to navigate obstacles " the North Atlantic Ocean body of water too great to cross (but the lemmings don't realize it)

reproduction/life span

Life span. 1-2 yrs
Birth Interval. minimum 2x/yr.
Litter. 4-8/ litter
Parenting. female solely " mom very protective " locate young via their squeaks

diet

herbivore
Wild. grasses & sedges (dependent upon season & local abundance)
Zoo. lab chow (vitamins, minerals, protein), carrots & lettuce (for moisture), & alfalfa hay

habitat/range

tundra " temperate grasslands " steppe " scrub " open forest " rocks " North & Central America, Eurasia, & North Africa (a few)

status

not endangered (high reproduction rate keeps them flourishing)

other

principal prey of tundra animals (snowy owl, birds of prey, arctic fox, skua, weasels, ravens, etc) " very important to tundra food web

oregon zoo exhibit

Alaska Tundra