Microhabitat utilisation, home ranges, and movement patterns of the collared lemming ( Dicrostonyx groenlandicus) in the central Canadian Arctic

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Predavec, Martin, Krebs, Charles J
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 2000
• Subjects: Dicrostonyx groenlandicus; Northwest Territories; Salix lanata
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z00-135; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z00-135

We investigated patterns of home ranges, movements, and microhabitat use of the collared lemming (Dicrostonyx groenlandicus) on Kent Peninsula, Northwest Territories. Eleven animals were fitted with radio collars and intensively radio-tracked for 2 months. Males and females differed in their home ranges and movement patterns. Males moved, on average, 47.4 m and females 10.5 m in a 2-h period. Corresponding to the larger movements, males had larger home ranges than did females and the degree of overlap was greater in males. In both sexes activity was centred on burrows, but this was more evident in females. Collared lemmings differentially used available microhabitats, preferring areas with larger hummocks, a larger number of burrows, and greater cover of Salix lanata. It is suggested that this pattern of microhabitat use is related to reducing detection and capture by predators. Collared lemmings appear to be highly conservative in their patterns of habitat use and home ranges across their distribution.