Brown Lemming
Lemmus lemmus
Quick answer
The brown lemming lives in Arctic tundra and does not commit mass suicide — a myth from a staged 1958 Disney documentary. Weighing about 80 g, living roughly 2 years, and moving slowly at 8 km/h, its population booms and crashes drive Arctic foxes, owls, and skuas.
Brown Lemming facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Lemmus lemmus |
|---|---|
| Diet | Herbivore — grasses, sedges, moss, and bark |
| Habitat | Arctic and alpine tundra of Scandinavia and Russia |
| Lifespan | 1–2 years in the wild (short-lived rodent) |
| Weight | 30–112 g (0.03–0.11 kg); varies with season |
| Top speed | Up to 8 km/h (5 mph); scurries through tundra runways |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Rodentia |
| Family | Cricetidae |
| Genus | Lemmus |
Where it lives
Arctic and alpine tundra of Scandinavia, Russia, Alaska, and Canada — brown lemming in Fennoscandia and Siberia.
What is a group of brown lemmings called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of Brown Lemmings is called a colony.
Baby name
A baby Brown Lemming is called a pup.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Distribution and habitat
Brown Lemmings live in Arctic and alpine tundra of Scandinavia, Russia, Alaska, and Canada — brown lemming in Fennoscandia and Siberia. Preferred habitat includes arctic and alpine tundra of scandinavia and russia. Across Asia, Europe, North America, population density reflects prey availability, water access, and human disturbance. Protected areas and wildlife corridors remain essential for long-term persistence.
Physical traits and behaviour
Brown Lemmings typically reach about 0.15 m in length and 0.08 kg in weight, with top speeds near 8 km/h. The tundra rodent of myth. Daily activity, social structure, and seasonal movements reflect pressures in their native environment.
Diet and ecological role
Brown Lemmings feed on herbivore — grasses, sedges, moss, and bark. Foraging shifts with season and local abundance. As mammals, they influence food webs — controlling prey, dispersing seeds, or shaping habitat through feeding and movement.
Conservation and coexistence
Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Habitat loss, hunting, and climate change threaten many populations. Responsible ecotourism and community conservation help in parts of their range. Never approach or feed wild brown lemmings.
Human interest and research
Brown Lemmings feature in folklore, tourism, and scientific study worldwide. Ongoing research tracks population trends, genetics, and responses to environmental change — data that guides national protection policies.
Dig deeper into the Brown Lemming
- How Long do Lemming Live?
Dig deeper into brown lemming — how long do lemming live.
- Lemming Facts 4
Dig deeper into brown lemming — lemming facts 4.
- Lemming Facts 5
Dig deeper into brown lemming — lemming facts 5.
- What do Lemming Eat
Dig deeper into brown lemming — what do lemming eat.
- Where do Lemming Live?
Dig deeper into brown lemming — where do lemming live.
Explore the Brown Lemming
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Did you know? Brown Lemming facts
- Brown lemmings live in Arctic tundra and do not commit mass suicide — a myth from staged documentaries.
- No — this was fabricated for a 1958 Disney film.
- Arctic foxes, snowy owls, and skuas depend heavily on lemming cycles.
- Conservation: Least Concern.
Diet & feeding
Brown Lemming feeds primarily as a grasses, sedges, moss.
Adaptations
- Lemming numbers peak every 3–4 years, supporting foxes, owls, and skuas.
- Lemmings migrate when food runs out but do not deliberately leap off cliffs.
Behaviour & ecology
- Lemming numbers peak every 3–4 years, supporting foxes, owls, and skuas.
- Lemmings migrate when food runs out but do not deliberately leap off cliffs.
Communication
- Brown Lemming uses scent, posture, and vocal signals to mark territory and coordinate social behaviour.
- Communication intensity often peaks during breeding seasons and territorial disputes.
Habitat & range
Arctic and alpine tundra
Ecological role
Brown Lemming plays a recognised ecological role in arctic and alpine tundra.
Frequently asked questions about the Brown Lemming
Where do brown lemmings live?
Arctic and alpine tundra of Scandinavia, Russia, Alaska, and Canada — brown lemming in Fennoscandia and Siberia.
What do brown lemmings eat?
Herbivore — grasses, sedges, moss, and bark.
How long do brown lemmings live?
About 2 years in the wild on average.
Are brown lemmings endangered?
IUCN status: Least Concern.
What is a group of brown lemmings called?
A group of Brown Lemmings is called a colony.
What is a baby brown lemming called?
A baby Brown Lemming is called a pup.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Brown Lemming:
-
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Lemmus lemmus.
- IUCN Red List — Lemmus lemmus.
Conservation status (Least Concern) and population trends.
- Animal Diversity Web — Lemmus lemmus. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.
Life history, morphology, and range.
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Global Animal Guide editorial standards
How we research, source, review, and update every guide for accuracy.
