Steppe Lemming
ExploreMammals
Steppe Lemming
lagurus lagurus
The Steppe Lemming is a small, furry creature that loves to burrow in the grasslands. These little lemmings are known for their playful nature and quick movements!
Habitat: Steppe Lemmings live in grasslands, particularly in areas with plenty of vegetation.
Appearance
The Steppe Lemming is a small, stocky rodent with a compact body and a very short tail. It has soft, dense fur that is typically greyish-brown, often with a faint darker stripe down its back, making it blend into dry grasses.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderRodentiaFamilyCricetidaeGenusLagurus
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Despite myths, these lemmings do not commit mass suicide; they just migrate when crowded.
Steppe Lemmings build vast underground 'cities' with many rooms for storing food and raising families.
Their front teeth grow continuously, so they must constantly gnaw on plants to keep them short!
They can eat their own weight in plants every single day, just to stay energized!
Special abilities
Ability
Master Tunnelers
Steppe Lemmings can dig intricate burrow systems that protect them from predators and harsh weather conditions.
Ability
Super Breeders
Steppe Lemmings can have multiple litters yearly, which helps their populations grow incredibly quickly.
Ability
Winter Warriors
Steppe Lemmings have dense fur and store food underground to survive freezing steppe winters.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 8-12 cm
- Weight
- 0.02-0.05 kg
- Lifespan
- 1-2 years
- Top Speed
- 15 km/h
- Litter Size
- 3-10
- Gestation
- 18-20 days
Diet & Feeding
These tiny rodents munch on grasses, roots, and seeds found in their dry steppe home.
Primary Foods
- Grasses
- Sedges
- Roots
- Seeds
- Mosses
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Red Fox
Vulpes vulpes
Lemmings are a common meal for foxes.
eaten by
Eurasian Kestrel
Falco tinnunculus
Kestrels hunt Steppe Lemmings from above.
eaten by
Common Weasel
Mustela nivalis
Weasels prey on lemmings in their burrows.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Burrowing
Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Also known as
Common LemmingGrassland Lemming
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Steppe Lemming?
8-12 cm
How much does Steppe Lemming weigh?
0.02-0.05 kg
How long does Steppe Lemming live?
1-2 years
How fast can Steppe Lemming move?
15 km/h
What does Steppe Lemming eat?
These tiny rodents munch on grasses, roots, and seeds found in their dry steppe home.
Where is Steppe Lemming usually found?
Steppe Lemmings live in grasslands, particularly in areas with plenty of vegetation.
How does Steppe Lemming hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Steppe Lemming usually have?
3-10
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