Mortality of lemmings, Lemmus lemmus , at peak density in a mountainous area of Norway

• Published in: Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Steen, H., Holst, J. C., Solhøy, T., Bjerga, M., Klaussen, E., Prestegard, I., Sundt, R. C., Johannesen, ø.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1997
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Norway; Lemmus lemmus
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1997.tb01980.x; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1469-7998.1997.tb01980.x; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1997.tb01980.x; https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1997.tb01980.x

We estimated carcass density and determined cause of death in a peak‐density lemming, Lemmus lemmus , population at Finse, Norway. Of 74 recovered carcasses, 80% had subcutaneous haematoma (blood underneath the skin) in the head region, though the skin on the skull most often appeared unharmed. Thirty percent were apparently killed by a mustelid predator, while 51% were probably killed by corvids. Carcass density was 26.6 and 9.4ha ‐1 in good and poor lemming habitats, respectively.