The Arctic lemming (Dicrostonyx torquatus) is a species of rodent native to Russian Federation. This species was once found in England, but it is now extirpated.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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HerbivoreA herbivore is an animal anatomically and physiologically adapted to eating plant material, for example, foliage, for the main component of its die...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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CongregatoryCongregatory animals tend to gather in large numbers in specific areas as breeding colonies, for feeding, or for resting.
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ViviparousAmong animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
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BurrowingA burrow is a hole or tunnel excavated into the ground by an animal to create a space suitable for habitation, temporary refuge, or as a byproduct ...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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ColonialColonial animals live in large aggregations composed of two or more conspecific individuals in close association with or connected to, one another....
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MigratingAnimal migration is the relatively long-distance movement of individual animals, usually on a seasonal basis. It is the most common form of migrati...
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starts withIn the summer fur of Arctic lemming on the top is gray to gray-brown with reddish shades. Due to mixed black, red, and light gray hairs, the coat appears speckled. The underside is predominantly light brown to light orange-brown. The orange-brown collar that gives it its name is not pronounced in all specimens.
Arctic lemmings are found only in the Arctic biomes in the Russian Federation, and they are the most common mammals on Severnaya Zemlya. These rodents live in the tundra with scattered bushes both in lowlands and in mountainous areas. Arctic lemmings migrate when population density becomes too great, and they resort to swimming in search of a new habitat.
Arctic lemmings live in colonies. They dig burrows with tunnels in the ground or snow with a nest chamber lined with grasses, sour grasses or mosses and a seed storage chamber. These nests help maintain thermoregulation during winter, maintaining their young, and aid in their survival against predators. Arctic lemming can be active at any time of the day or night. When sencing danger they burrow themselves deep within the snow or seek shelter in holes.
Arctic lemmings are herbivores. Their diet includes various plants including, leaves, shoots, herbs, saxifrage plants, and berries.
Little information is known about the reproductive habits of Arctic lemmings. Females produce 2 to 3 litters per year, each containing up to 12 pups. The gestation period usually lasts 17 to 21 days.
There are no major threats to this species at present.
According to IUCN Red List, the Arctic lemming is common throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
Social animals are those animals that interact highly with other animals, usually of their own species (conspecifics), to the point of having a rec...