Lemming

Tribe of rodents of the family Cricetidae

A lemming is a small rodent, usually found in or near the Arctic in tundra biomes. Lemmings form the subfamily Arvicolinae (also known as Microtinae) together with voles and muskrats, which form part of the superfamily Muroidea, which also includes rats, mice, hamsters and gerbils. They play an important role in the Arctic ecosystem, acting as grazers of mosses and grasses and as the primary prey (food) source for most Arctic carnivores.

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