What is the name of the mouse-like rodent that lives in cold regions? - briefly
The mouse‑like rodent inhabiting Arctic and sub‑Arctic environments is the lemming, most commonly the Arctic lemming (Dicrostonyx torquatus).
What is the name of the mouse-like rodent that lives in cold regions? - in detail
The rodent sought is the lemming, a small, mouse‑sized mammal endemic to Arctic and sub‑Arctic environments.
Lemmings belong to the family Cricetidae, genus Lemmus (true lemmings) and Dicrostonyx (collared lemmings). Species such as the Norway lemming (Lemmus lemmus) and the collared lemming (Dicrostonyx groenlandicus) are the most widely distributed in tundra zones.
Key adaptations for survival in frigid habitats include:
- Dense, woolly fur providing insulation against temperatures well below freezing.
- Seasonal coat color change: brown in summer, white in winter for camouflage.
- Low‑temperature tolerance of metabolic enzymes, allowing activity on snow‑covered ground.
- Large, padded feet that function as snowshoes, distributing weight to prevent sinking.
Diet consists primarily of grasses, mosses, lichens, and sedges. During summer, lemmings also consume seeds and insect larvae, while winter foraging is limited to vegetation beneath the snowpack.
Reproductive cycle is rapid; females can produce up to five litters per year, each with 4–8 offspring. The short gestation (≈23 days) and early weaning support quick population growth, which fluctuates dramatically in response to food availability and predation pressure.
Predators include Arctic foxes, snowy owls, gulls, and polar bears. Population booms often trigger increased predator numbers, leading to subsequent crashes—a classic example of predator‑prey dynamics in the tundra.
Conservation status for most lemming species is “Least Concern” per the IUCN, although localized threats such as climate‑induced habitat alteration and human disturbance can affect specific populations.
In summary, the lemming exemplifies a mouse‑like rodent uniquely equipped for life in the world’s coldest terrestrial ecosystems.