Northern bog lemming

Northern bog lemming
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Rodentia
Family:	Cricetidae
Subfamily:	Arvicolinae
Genus:	Synaptomys
Species:	S. borealis
Binomial name
Synaptomys borealis (Richardson, 1828)
Northern bog lemming range

The northern bog lemming (Synaptomys borealis) is a small North American lemming. It is one of two species in the genus Synaptomys, the other being the southern bog lemming. It is sometimes placed in its own genus, Mictomys.

Description

They have cylindrical bodies covered with long grey or brown fur with pale grey underparts. A patch of rust-coloured hair is seen at the base of the ears. They have small eyes, a hairy snout, and a short tail. They have 16 teeth and their upper incisors are grooved. They are 13 cm long with a 2-cm tail, and weigh about 30 g.

Distribution and habitat

These animals are found in wet northern forests, bogs, tundra, and meadows in Canada, Alaska, northern Washington, Minnesota, and New England. They feed on grasses, sedges, other green vegetation, and mosses, as well as snails and slugs. Their droppings are green. Predators include owls, hawks, mustelids, and snakes. They are listed as "Species of Special Concern" for protection and preservation by the State of Minnesota

Breeding

Female lemmings have two or three litters of four to six young in a year. The young are born in a nest in a burrow or concealed in vegetation.

Behaviour

They are active year-round, day and night. They make runways through the surface vegetation, and also dig burrows. They burrow under the snow in winter. These animals are often found in small colonies. Lemming populations go through a 3- or 4-year cycle of boom and bust.