Pest Library

Characteristics

Lemmings are tiny rodents that are the same size as mice. Their size is between 4 to 5.5 inches long. Although their size is similar to mice, their appearance is similar to a guinea pig. Their differences with the guinea pig are they have rounded faces, short tails and ears, and fat bodies that allow them to conserve heat more easily. Their coats can change color depending on the weather as they may be seen to have a brown coat during the summer, but will become white when winter comes. Their furs are thick so that they can stay protected from the cold winter.

Habitat

These rodents prefer to live in the Arctic Circle or near its perimeter. But, some can still be found in different locations around the world. They prefer to live in or near the Arctic Circle, from Alaska to Siberia, and can also be found in Scandinavia, Canada, Greenland, Europe, and Asia.

They dig shallow burrows and tunnels to hide from predators and create homes where they can stay warm from the harsh weather outside. They create insulated spaces under the snow to get their needed warmth, shelter, and access to food while battling the long cold weather. When there is no snow, these lemmings can hide and live under a variety of bogs, terrestrial habitats, and marshes.

Behavior

Lemmings can be exposed to 24 hours of daylight, especially those in the northern latitudes. They prefer to live a solitary life, but can easily be seen with a companion during the mating season.

Although they breed rapidly and can over populate, however, their independent nature is also to blame for their demise. When their population grows bigger, they will seek out to disperse beyond their territory in search for more food. Some may even go to places that are not their preferred habitat, which could mean that they may die soon after.

While their population may increase in number, there are cases that their population is also decreasing. The irregularity of their population growth may be contributed to the climate change since lemmings are now facing shorter winters and less snow.

Food

Lemmings are herbivores. They eat a variety of plants and roots. To be able to find their food, they will constantly search for them and may even spend six hours a day just to get their stomach full. They need to eat as much as they can because their food selection may not provide them with all of the nutrition they need. They eat roots, sprouts, bulbs, heath shrubs, mosses, lichens, and any plants that they may find in the snow.

Life Cycle

Lemming reproduce rapidly, and some species may reproduce all year round, while other species may have specific seasons to breed. It only takes three weeks for a female lemming to give birth to her young and she may have around two or 13 youngs per litter. Although lemmings prefer to live a solitary life, the female lemming will take care and give her babies milk until her young ones can take care of themselves. Females can become pregnant right after they give birth while the young lemmings will become adults after a month or a month and a half.

The life of a lemming is short since they only live for one to three years. Their short life is due to so many risks and climate factors, and natural predators. Although they are able to breed easily, their population can still decrease significantly.

Other Information and Tips

Lemmings are not considered pests. In fact, lemmings have been useful in studies when it comes to their population dynamics, behavior in fighting, independence, food behavior, and their role in how climate change can affect animals, bring fascination to researchers.