Arvicolines communcate via scent marking and vocalization. Scent marking is used to delineate territory and establish dominance. Calls are used for various social interactions including warning others of danger and making threats. Female steppe lemmings are particularly vocal just prior to giving birth.
Communication Channels: acoustic ; chemical
Other Communication Modes: scent marks
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
This species is not threatened or endangered.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
State of Michigan List: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
Steppe lemmings carry diseases such as tularemia (Francisella tularensis) and plague (Yersinia pestis). Incidence of these diseases is known to increase during years of high vole populations. In addition, steppe lemmings can destroy crops and pastures, leading to loss of income and cattle.
Negative Impacts: injures humans (carries human disease); crop pest
This species is used in research related to cancer and exposure to toxic chemicals. Steppe lemmings are also kept as pets.
Positive Impacts: pet trade ; research and education
Steppe lemmings are an important prey base for many carnivores of the steppe. In addition, their presence in an area can limit the success of other voles.
When population densities are high, the presence of steppe lemmings can be destructive to the ecosystem. In some cases they will reduce vegetation such that only hardy plants such as wormwood remain. In extreme situations where predation is limited, L. lagurus can transform steppe to semi-desert.
Commensal/Parasitic Species:
Lagurus lagurus is an herbivore feeding primarily on the above ground portions of plants. Steppe lemmings have a preference for Austrian wormwood (Artemisia austriaca), but will also take herbs, grasses, lichens, roots, tubers, and bulbs. The average daily food intake is 10.7 g in the summer. During this time only the best portions of the plant are eaten. The remains are left out or packed into the burrow and will serve to provide the animal with nourishment when other food is scarce. Steppe lemmings are able to process large amounts of abrasive vegetation because they possess continuously growing molars (and incisors).
Plant Foods: leaves; roots and tubers; lichens
Foraging Behavior: stores or caches food
Primary Diet: herbivore (Folivore )
Lagurus lagurus is found on the steppes of Eurasia from the Dnieper River of Ukraine in the West to the Yenisey River northeast of Kazakhstan in the East. The range extends through Kazakhstan into northwest China and northern Mongolia while reaching its southern limit at the Tien Shan Range. The northern limit of the range occurs at about 55ºN. In the Pleistocene the range of the genus Lagurus extended west to France and Britain.
There are four subspecies of steppe lemming. Lagurus lagurus lagurus is found in Ukraine and central Kazakhstan. The eastern subspecies, L.l. altorum, is found in southeastern Kazakhstan, northwest China, and Mongolia. Lagurus lagurus agressus, the northern subspecies, is found in the northern European portion of the former U.S.S.R. and in northern Kazakhstan. The isolated subspecies L. l. abacanicus is found in the Minusinsk basin in Krasnoyarsk, Russia.
Biogeographic Regions: palearctic (Native )
Steppe areas are regions with sufficient rainfall to support grasses, but too little moisture to support forest growth. Lagurus lagurus inhabits Eurasian steppes, feeding on grasses and herbs, and depending on the cover these provide to avoid predation. Steppe lemmings are found in particular abundance in areas of mixed feather grass and sheep’s fescue, but also in growths of wormwood (Artemesia). When feather grass dominates the flora, lemmings tend to be found in places lacking vegetation, such as in rocky areas. In general they prefer loose soils that allow for easier burrowing.
When living near agricultural lands, individuals often take up residence in fields and, in some cases, they have been known to live in storage buildings. However, as plowing damages their burrows, they must frequently make temporary moves away from the cultivated fields. This requirement leads to relatively low populations in agricultural areas.
Range elevation: 4000 (high) m.
Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland
Other Habitat Features: agricultural
Arvicoline lifespans are approximately 0.5 to 2.0 years. One source lists the maximum longevity for L. lagurus as 3.8 years. Most probably live no longer than one year.
Range lifespan
Status: captivity: 3.8 (high) years.
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 3.8 years.
Steppe lemmings are relatively small Arvicolines having masses that vary seasonally from an average of 22 g in the winter to 34.8 g in the summer. The combined length of the head and body (for adults) ranges between 80 to 120 mm. Females are slightly larger than males. Lagurus can be distinguished from Lemmiscus by possession of a tail that is shorter than the hind foot, with lengths ranging from 7 to 19 mm. The eyes are small, and the pinnae are short, rounded, and lack an antitragus. The dorsal pelage is gray to gray-brown with a central black stripe running longitudinally, while the ventral pelage is light in color. Sexual dimorphism in size or color is uncommon in Arvicolinae. The pedes are almost completely covered in fur and have four pads. Females have eight teats.
Diagnostic molar characteristics include five closed enamel loops in M3, with the elongated posterior loop angled labially, and an M1 with seven to eight closed enamel loops. The skull is flat in profile and the zygomatic arches are wide and heavily built. The sagittal crest is absent.
Geographic variation includes trends of increasing body size and narrowing of the dorsal stripe from west to east. Individuals also tend to have paler fur to the east and south. More specific differences between the subspecies include:
L. l. lagurus: Narrow dark brown spinal stripe; ventral fur gray to yellow; tail white; winter fur more yellow than summer fur.
L. l. agressus: more prominent black spinal stripe; darkest fur; tail fur darker in color than L. l. lagurus.
L. l. abacanicus: larger skull than others; larger bullae; fur more gray than L. l. lagurus; very short tail.
L. l. altorum: lightest fur color (pale yellow); spinal stripe dark.
Range mass: 22.0 to 34.8 g.
Range length: 80 to 120 mm.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry
Sexual Dimorphism: female larger
Steppe lemmings are prey for many predatory mammals and birds including: steppe polecats, ermines, weasels, foxes, domestic cats, eagle owls, buzzards, harriers, and kestrels. They avoid predation by lying flat on the substrate, staying under the cover of vegetation, entering their burrows, or by hiding in natural crevices or temporary burrows.
Known Predators:
Anti-predator Adaptations: cryptic
Within the Arvicolinae, males are usually promiscuous, though some species are monogamous. Male and female steppe lemmings are only found living together in shared burrows before the birth of young. Following this event, the male will move to another burrow and avoid involvement in raising the young. Some female arvicolines have a postpartum estrus allowing mating to occur following parturition. This, in combination with early sexual maturation and short gestation periods, leads to the high reproductive potential of arvicolines.
Mating System: polygynandrous (promiscuous)
Steppe lemmings breed primarily between the months of April and September, though winter breeding does sometimes occur. The length of the estrus cycle is seven days, and implantation takes place six or seven days following fertilization. During the normal breeding season a female will produce about six litters each consisting of three to seven young. Litters tend to be largest in the spring. The female gives birth to young weighing about 1 g each after a gestation period of approximately 20 days. Although data are unavailable for L. lagurus, weaning probably occurs after 12 to 14 days as in Lemmus lemmus. Females reach sexual maturity at 21 to 140 days. Variability in sexual maturation age is due largely to delayed maturation in those females born in late autumn. Males tend to mature slightly earlier than females, but no information is available on variability in male maturation age.
Breeding interval: Steppe lemmings breed about six times per year between April and September.
Breeding season: Primarily April to September, but some mating occurs in the winter.
Range number of offspring: 3 to 7.
Average gestation period: 20 days.
Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 21 to 140 days.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 4 to 6 weeks.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; year-round breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; viviparous ; post-partum estrous
Average birth mass: 1.35 g.
Average gestation period: 20 days.
Average number of offspring: 4.5.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
Sex: male: 44 days.
Arvicoline young are altricial, and they are cared for by the female in a nest area, which, in the case of steppe lemmings, is located within the burrow. The nest is commonly located at a depth of 25 to 30 cm below the surface. It is spherical in form and lined with soft grasses. Female steppe lemmings are known for their aggressive nature in protecting young. Males take no part in caring for the young.
Parental Investment: altricial ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female)
The steppe lemming or steppe vole (Lagurus lagurus) is a small, plump, light-grey rodent, similar in appearance to the Norway lemming (Lemmus lemmus), but not in the same genus. The steppe lemming eats shoots and leaves and is more active at night, though it is not strictly nocturnal. In the wild, it is found in Russia and Ukraine in steppes and semiarid environments.[1] Fossil remains of this species have been found in areas as far west as Great Britain.
The steppe lemming has a body length of up to 12 cm and a tail of 2 cm, a little shorter than the hind foot. It weighs about 30 g. The eyes and ears are small and the fur is a uniform shade of brownish-grey with a black dorsal stripe.[2]
This lemming is found in steppe, forest-steppe and semidesert parts of western Mongolia, northwest China, many parts of the former USSR, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, the southern and middle Ural, and western and eastern Siberia.[2]
The steppe lemming is a colonial species digging lengthy burrows. It has a partially underground mode of life, being active during the day, but only going above the surface for short periods. It feeds on various parts of plants, including seeds. It reaches sexual maturity at the age of six weeks and can produce up to six broods in a year, with five or six young in each. Under favourable conditions, reproduction continues throughout the year. The numbers of steppe lemmings vary greatly according to climatic conditions and the availability of food. Migrations are observed during years of mass outbreaks.[2]
It is the most common domestic vole, being particularly well known in Europe. (In the US and Canada, it is still considered an exotic animal.)
In captivity, they can live over two years, but they are usually mistreated with small cages (a 10-gallon tank is best for a colony) and improper diets. Although the steppe lemming is social by nature and should not be held in captivity alone, if a colony of steppe lemmings is held together for a long period of time (two to three months) they may become hostile to each other (mainly to the subordinate members of the colony). If there is only one separate nesting area, two entrances or exits should be placed, due to the attack style of the more impetuous lemmings. They also tend to be very territorial animals, so a low male population is best in captivity. Overall, three to eight steppe lemmings in one cage or aquarium is ideal, with no more than one male for every two or three females.
Standard rodent food containing bits of dried fruit is not appropriate; as their natural diets do not contain much sugar, steppe lemmings are somewhat diabetic, and become sick or even die from overdosing on sugar. A sugar-free, no molasses food that does not contain dried fruit and little sunflower and other oily seeds should be used; laboratory rodent foods may be a cheap alternative. Additionally, steppe lemmings need grass and other leafy greens, such as alfalfa, to thrive.
Grass gathered outdoors may harbor parasites and toxins and should not be used unless gathered from meadows away from inhabited areas, roads and not frequented by dogs or used for grazing. No matter where any grass or moss has been obtained, and even if it is only intended for bedding, it should be kept in a freezer for three days to eliminate parasites such as lice and mites.
Clean water should be always available; the amount actually drunk varies with the food consumed. Willow twigs need to be provided for abrading the continuously growing teeth. Lemmings can drink from a shallow dish, but since they typically track their bedding into the water, a bottle with a ball valve is better.
Lemmings enjoy any kind of running or climbing; however, as their habitat is essentially flat and rather featureless terrain, they have a poor sense of height and danger, so their enclosures should not be high enough to allow them to fall more than 10–15 cm and should, of course, be lined with wood chips and hay. An exercise wheel is the best way to keep the animals busy and trim, and if the wheels afford enough space, they will often race in it together. (However, fights can often develop around wheels - with males, particularly, it is helpful to have several wheels, perhaps even one for each lemming.)
In general, steppe lemmings are friendly animals and prefer to live in colonies. Even small groups of males (preferably from the same litter) can live quite peacefully. However, males do tend to be territorial and a mature alpha male will nearly always attack a stranger and will often mistreat other members of his own litter, particularly if the nest is overcrowded. A large, well-filled terrarium (about 5–10 cm wood chips covered by about 10 cm of hay) can allow a group to live far more peacefully; altercations should be expected in smaller spaces with little bedding.
Fights (as well as unintentional accidents) can also occur in and around exercise wheels.
Once a male has become aggressive - even with an outsider - he should be considered dangerous, watched very closely and - if possible - be neutered and placed with a group of females. Although neutering a lemming is a difficult operation typically attempted only by veterinary hospitals, it is possible. A neutered alpha male will generally not become less aggressive toward other males.
The aggressor will try to trap the defending lemming in a corner and then attack with his teeth and short claws. Excited chirps, chattering and running typically accompany a fight - in most cases, the whole colony will be disturbed. (While activity of this kind is amusing for new owners, it should be observed very carefully, since peaceful lemming colonies are much quieter than ones characterized by aggressive behavior.)
Since lemmings like to nest in small, narrow enclosures (like boxes the size of a fist), it is important for the enclosure have a second exit, so the defender can escape into another part of the terrarium. Lemming fights sometimes leave no exterior signs of violence, but can cause fatal internal bleeding. More often, fights result in lacerations, often around the hind legs, bottom and genitals.
Lemmings hurt in a fight should be placed in terraria or cages separate from the aggressor as soon as possible. Also, their natural tendency to scratch and lick at wounds can cause slow healing. A veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics and infection retardants to help an injured lemming, generally at reasonable costs. While it can be very difficult to convince an injured lemming to drink its medicated drops or eat food laced with medicine, a good trick is to place drops of medicine on the lemming's nose. Through licking itself clean, the lemming will ingest the medicine.
The steppe lemming or steppe vole (Lagurus lagurus) is a small, plump, light-grey rodent, similar in appearance to the Norway lemming (Lemmus lemmus), but not in the same genus. The steppe lemming eats shoots and leaves and is more active at night, though it is not strictly nocturnal. In the wild, it is found in Russia and Ukraine in steppes and semiarid environments. Fossil remains of this species have been found in areas as far west as Great Britain.
