The lemmings didn’t jump – they were pushed
- The Nature of … is a column dedicated to interesting animals, insects, plants and natural phenomena
A Norwegian lemming looks like a larger, slightly cleverer and much more irate hamster. Their underside fur is biscuit-coloured. On top they wear a mottled calico.
The BBC, in a 2015 documentary episode in which a lemming repeatedly charges a full-sized house cat – and then attacks the rock on to which the house cat has leapt in fear – called them “bloodthirsty, hairy berserkers”.
Related: ‘The platypuses were glowing’: the secret light of Australia’s marsupials
They are good swimmers but sometimes misjudge the breadth of the cold water and drown
Powered by WPeMatico