Steppe lemming
| Steppe lemming | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Cricetidae |
| Subfamily: | Arvicolinae |
| Genus: | Lagurus |
| Species: | L. lagurus |
| Binomial name | |
| Lagurus lagurus (Pallas, 1773) | |
The steppe lemming or steppe vole (Lagurus lagurus) is a small rodent. It is described as somewhat similar in appearance to the Norway lemming (Lemmus lemmus). It is more active at night, however, it is not entirely nocturnal. The steppe lemming's diet consists of shoots and leaves. In the wild, it is found in steppes and semiarid environments in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, northwestern China, and western Mongolia. Fossil remains of this species have been found in areas as far west as Great Britain.