Where does the Norway lemming live?
The Norway lemming is found in northern Fennoscandia, where it is the only vertebrate species endemic to the region. It dwells in tundra and fells, and prefers to live near water. It has a wide distribution from western Norway east to the Kola Peninsula. A 2021 study suggests that the lemmings of Novaya Zemlya may also belong to this species, but these results have not been fully accepted.
What does the Norway lemming eat?
Adults feed primarily on sedges, grasses and moss. They are active both day and night, alternating naps with periods of activity. The mainland Norway lemming has a bold pattern of black and yellow-brown, which is variable between individuals. It is known for the scale of its migrations.
Is the Norway lemming endangered?
No: the IUCN lists it as Least Concern. Its numbers follow a dramatic three- to four-year cycle. It weighs up to 130 g. In contrast, the Novaya Zemlya lemming has a cryptic grey coloration, which is why it was once thought to be a population of the Siberian brown lemming.
