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The truth about lemmings
In fact, the Scandinavian lemming is simply a small member of the vole family that happens to migrate – like many other animals in the Arctic. The lemming just does it on a grander scale than most.
In good years with plenty of food, lemmings breed very fast. Each female has five to eight babies, and after only four weeks these babies can have litters of their own. So many young are born that the lemming population shoots up. This is called a population explosion.
As food supplies run low, some lemmings are forced to move out. They follow the most direct route and head for the highest point on the horizon. Unfortunately a lake sometimes gets in the way, and – though lemmings are good swimmers – some may drown. But not deliberately! Like all migrants, lemmings are simply moving to survive.
Last modified: 11 January 2005