Brown Lemming

Lemmus trimucronatus

General Status Rank: 
Secure
ELCODE: 
AMAFF16010
Common Name: 
Brown Lemming
Scientific Name: 
Lemmus trimucronatus
Synonyms: 
Lemmus sibiricus
Nearctic Brown Lemming
Naming References: 
R169
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Rodentia
Family: 
Cricetidae
References: 
R169
General Biology

Longevity

14 months
References: 
B001

Economic/Human Considerations

Main food supply to arctic fur-bearers.
References: 
B001
Habitat
Grass-covered tundra, stream banks, lake shores, and grassy slopes.
References: 
B001
Distribution

Ecozones

Arctic Cordillera, Northern Arctic, Southern Arctic, Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield
References: 
B001

Distribution

50% of the NWT.
Score: 
G = 2
References: 
B001

Number of Occurrences

Probably more than 100 (H126). A possible brown lemming was on Tlogotsho Plateau, south of the park boundary, at about 5,500 feet (photos available) (H191).
Score: 
E = >
References: 
H126
H191

Area of Occupancy

Stable?
Score: 
-
References: 
B001
RSC13
Population

Population Size

Uncertain.
Score: 
FH =

Density

20 to 130 per acre
Trends

Trends

Fluctuations; peaks every 2 to 5 years (B001). Last peak was in 2002 (Daring Lake site).
Score: 
G = R
References: 
B001
RSC13
Threats

Threats

Score: 
C = M
References: 
B001

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Score: 
-
References: 
B001
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Secure
S Rank: 
S5
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted by S. Carriere. Reviewed in 2004, no change in status. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2020, no change.
Last Updated: 
February 16, 2024

References

Area of Occupancy

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Carriere, S. (2004) Small Mammal Survey and Hare Transect Survey in the Northwest Territories – Summary Report 2004. Manuscript report - RSC13 Return

Economic Status

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Ecozones

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Habitat

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Longevity

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Naming

  • Wilson, Don E. and Reeder, DeeAnn M. (2005) Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Johns Hopkins University Press 3rd ed 2142 pages - R169 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return
  • Tate, D (2006) NWT mammal records. e-mail to S Carriere 7/4/2006 in binder and e-folder - H191 Return

Range Extent

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Carriere, S. (2004) Small Mammal Survey and Hare Transect Survey in the Northwest Territories – Summary Report 2004. Manuscript report - RSC13 Return

Taxonomy

  • Wilson, Don E. and Reeder, DeeAnn M. (2005) Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Johns Hopkins University Press 3rd ed 2142 pages - R169 Return

Threats

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return