Arctic Lemming

Adventure step • Meet the species

Overview

The Arctic lemming is a remarkable rodent perfectly adapted to life in the coldest and most inhospitable environments on Earth. This compact little creature, weighing between 30 and 112 grams and measuring 10-16 centimeters in length, has developed extraordinary strategies for surviving in the harsh Arctic tundra. Its name comes from the characteristic white or gray collar that many individuals display, particularly visible during their winter coat. The most extraordinary feature of the Arctic lemming is its ability to change color between summer and winter – a phenomenon exhibited by few mammals outside the hare and weasel families. During summer months, it wears a brownish-gray to reddish coat with darker patches, providing excellent camouflage among moss, lichen, and Arctic vegetation. As winter approaches, the Arctic lemming undergoes a dramatic transformation, acquiring a completely white coat that makes it nearly invisible against the snow. This color change is a vital defense against numerous predators including snowy owls, Arctic foxes, and ermines. The Arctic lemming has also developed a unique anatomical feature that distinguishes it from all other lemming species – during winter, two of the foreclaws grow into powerful, shovel-like tools. These specialized "winter claws" function as perfect implements for digging through hard-packed snow and ice, enabling the animal to navigate its winter landscape and build complex tunnel systems beneath the snow. In spring, these enlarged claws are shed and replaced by normal claws better suited for summer life. Despite its small size, the Arctic lemming plays a crucial role in the Arctic ecosystem. It serves as a primary food source for many predators, and the cyclical fluctuations of lemming populations affect the entire food chain from owls and falcons to foxes and ermines. When lemming populations are high, predators can raise larger litters, while poor lemming years can force these predators to seek alternative food sources or produce fewer offspring.