wood lemming
Quick Summary
The wood lemming (Myopus schisticolor) is a small rodent found in the Northern Hemisphere. It is characterized by its short, stocky body, short legs, stumpy tail, and rounded muzzle. Wood lemmings are among the smallest lemming species, measuring about 3.1 to 4.7 inches in body length and weighing 0.7 to 1.0 ounce. Their fur color varies, with summer coats being grayish-brown and winter coats white for some species, featuring forked digging claws.
These rodents inhabit diverse environments, including tundra, forests, and steppes. They are active year-round, feeding on various vegetation. While generally solitary, lemming populations can experience dramatic fluctuations, leading to migrations. Contrary to popular belief, they do not commit mass suicide; deaths during migrations are often due to habitat loss or drowning when forced into water barriers. Lemmings belong to the subfamily Arvicolinae within the mouse family.1
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