World of Animals
Featured Animals
General
Norwegian Lemmings are interesting creatures who have been the subject of many myths. To jump to a specific section, use the Quick Jump below by clicking on the headings.
|
|
Habitat
and Habits
-Lemmings live in the swampy flatlands of the European tundra.
-In summer this little rodent digs it's home under fallen trees, tree stumps, and rocks.
-Here it digs a short
tunnel and a small chamber that it lines with grass.
-In the winter the lemming goes to meadows, where it builds a round nest that they line
with moss and lichens.
-This nest is located
above ground or under the snow cover.
-During the spring thaw
the nest become flooded and they move to higher ground.
-Lemmings migrate.
-Every three or four years the lemming population gets too big so the lemmings are forced
to migrate in search of food.
-When they migrate they don't travel in a certain direction.
-Sometimes they follow
roads that lead them through human populated areas.
Food
and Feeding
-The lemming eats grass and other grass like plants.
-They also dine on bark, leaves, moss, and lichens.
-To find food in the winter the lemming dig tunnels to get to vegetation.
-The lemming searches for food day and night resting every two hours.
Facts
(Predators)
-The Norwegian Lemming is the most highly populated of all the plant-eating animals in his
habitat.
-This animal is very important in the food chain.
-Birds that prey on the lemming are Skua, Snowy Owl, Gray Owl, buzzards, Gyrfalcons, and
gulls.
-Some mammals that prey on this animal are wolves, bears, wolverines, ermines, and foxes.
Links
for More Information
-The True Lemming