The Brown Lemming is a small, rounded Arctic rodent known for dramatic multi-year population cycles that crash and rebuild every three to five years. During peak years, lemmings are so abundant that virtually every Arctic predator—owls, foxes, jaegers, and weasels—switches to feeding on them almost exclusively. Contrary to popular myth, lemmings do not deliberately jump off cliffs in mass suicides.
Best time to see a Brown Lemming
The best time to see a Brown Lemming is June, when about 66% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 62 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Brown Lemming? What animal is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Brown Lemming sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a Brown Lemming?
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