: When populations peak, they become the primary food source for many predators, including snowy owls, Arctic foxes, weasels, and even grizzly bears. In "low" years, many of these predators may fail to reproduce due to lack of food.
The ( Lemmus trimucronatus ), also known as the Canadian lemming, is a vital keystone species of the Arctic tundra. This small, stocky rodent is famous for its extreme population fluctuations—often called "cycles"—which act as a primary "engine" for the entire northern ecosystem. Physical Characteristics brown lemmi~g
: For winter digging, they grow specialized flattened claws on their front feet and have stiff bristles on their soles to aid in burrowing through snow. Habitat and Ecology : When populations peak, they become the primary
: Brown lemmings do not hibernate . They spend winters in "subnivean" environments—insulated tunnel systems beneath deep snow that protect them from extreme cold and avian predators. This small, stocky rodent is famous for its