Northern bog lemming

Northern bog lemming
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Cricetidae
Subfamily: Arvicolinae
Genus: Synaptomys
Species:
S. borealis
Binomial name
Synaptomys borealis
(Richardson, 1828)
Northern bog lemming range[1]

The northern bog lemming (Synaptomys borealis) is a small North American lemming. It is one of two species in the genus Synaptomys, the other being the southern bog lemming (Synaptomys cooperi).[2] Very little information is available about this species' life as they are hard to find and study.[3] The northern bog lemming is a small, reddish-brown rodent with a short tail, and distinct markings on their upper teeth. These markings, along with having four pairs of teats, distinguishes this species from the southern bog lemming.[4] The northern bog lemming lives in wet habitats in North America and is omnivorous, eating herbaceous material and invertebrates.[4] They are thought to be extremely sociable animals and sexually mature at around 6 weeks old. Predators include most medium to larger sized carnivorous and omnivorous mammals that eat smaller mammals.[5] The northern bog lemming is listed as a species of "Least Concern" by the IUCN Red List[1] and is considered threatened or of concern in states such as Minnesota and Maine.[6][4]

  1. ^ a b c Cassola, F. (2017). "Synaptomys borealis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T42638A22377185. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T42638A22377185.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Lemming". Encyclopedia Brittanica. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  3. ^ Reichel, James; Beckstrom, Stan (February 1994). "Northern bog lemming survey" (PDF).
  4. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference MDIFW was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference MDNR was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Ratz was invoked but never defined (see the help page).