Lemming

Hi there! My name is Lemming, and I'm one of the fuzziest, busiest critters you'll ever meet. I am a small rodent with thick fur to keep me warm, a very short tail, and tiny ears that don't get cold. I live in a special place way up north called the Arctic tundra, where it is often cold and windy. My very favorite thing to do is dig in the snow! I use my paws to create cozy burrows and long tunnels deep under the snow. This secret world I build is called the subnivean zone. It is my perfect home, where I can stay safe from the chilly wind and hungry animals that might want to eat me.

Even when a thick blanket of white snow covers everything, I always have plenty of food to eat. I love to scurry through my tunnels and nibble on tasty snacks. I find the roots and stems of grasses, special plants called sedges, and even moss right under the snow. To help me eat all these yummy plants, I have special teeth that never stop growing! This is very helpful because I do a lot of chewing all day long. I also have a very big family. In some years when there is lots of food available for us, my family grows bigger and bigger until there are thousands of us lemmings running around. It feels just like a giant family party under the snow!

When my home gets too crowded with all my relatives, it is time for a big change. We have to move to find a new place with more food and space for everyone. This big journey is called a migration. You might have heard a very silly story that says we jump off cliffs together. That's just a myth! It's a made-up story that started from a movie called 'White Wilderness' way back in 1958. We are definitely not that clumsy. In fact, we are very determined explorers. Our journey can be tricky, and sometimes we have to swim across a cold river or a lake to get to a better home. It can be dangerous, but we are brave travelers searching for a new place to live.

My life might seem small, but I have a very huge job here in the tundra. I am an important source of food for other animals, like the beautiful snowy owl and the clever arctic fox. They count on me to help feed their own families. My digging is also very helpful for the tundra. When I dig my tunnels, I mix up the soil, which makes it healthier for new plants to grow in the spring. I am proud to be a lemming because I help keep the Arctic ecosystem strong and full of life. It’s a big responsibility for a little guy like me, but I wouldn't have it any other way!