What is the name of the small mouse-like rodent that lives in cold regions? - briefly
The small, mouse‑like rodent that inhabits Arctic and other cold environments is called a lemming.
What is the name of the small mouse-like rodent that lives in cold regions? - in detail
The rodent most commonly identified as a diminutive, mouse‑like creature inhabiting Arctic and sub‑Arctic environments is the lemming. Belonging to the family Cricetidae, lemmings are divided into several genera, the most familiar being Lemmus (true lemmings) and Dicrostonyx (collared lemmings). Species such as the Norwegian lemming (Lemmus lemmus), the Arctic lemming (Dicrostonyx torquatus), and the Beringian collared lemming (Dicrostonyx groenlandicus) occupy tundra, snowfields, and coastal marshes across northern Europe, North America, and Siberia.
Key biological traits include:
- Size and morphology: Adults range from 10 to 15 cm in body length, weigh 30–120 g, and possess dense, usually brown or gray fur that turns white in winter for camouflage.
- Physiological adaptation: A high basal metabolic rate, seasonal fur thickening, and the ability to lower body temperature during prolonged cold periods reduce energy expenditure.
- Diet: Primarily herbivorous, consuming grasses, mosses, sedges, and dwarf shrubs; occasional ingestion of insects supplements protein intake.
- Reproductive strategy: Breeding peaks in spring and summer; females can produce up to five litters per season, each containing 4–9 offspring, enabling rapid population increases when conditions are favorable.
- Population dynamics: Numbers fluctuate dramatically in multi‑annual cycles, often driven by food availability and predation pressure; crashes can lead to mass migrations toward coastal areas.
- Predators: Include Arctic foxes, snowy owls, gulls, and mustelids; lemmings constitute a critical food source for many of these species during breeding seasons.
- Conservation status: Most species are classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, although localized threats such as habitat alteration from climate change and oil exploration may affect certain populations.
Lemmings demonstrate specialized adaptations that allow survival in environments where temperatures regularly fall below –30 °C and where vegetation is sparse. Their burrowing behavior, seasonal coat changes, and flexible reproductive output collectively support persistence across the extreme conditions of the northern latitudes.