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 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

• Terrestrial

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

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 )

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:

• fleas (Siphonaptera)
• plague (Yersinia pestis)
• rabbit fever (Francisella tularensis)

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:

• eagle owl (Bubo bubo)
• steppe polecat (Mustela eversmanii)
• ermine (Mustela erminea)
• weasels (Mustela sibirica)
• foxes (Vulpes vulpes)
• Corsak fox (Vulpes corsac)
• domestic cats (Felis silvestris)
• buzzards (Buteo buteo)
• harriers (Circus cyaneus)
• kestrels (Falco tinnunculus)

Anti-predator Adaptations: cryptic

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 ; acoustic

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.

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); 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)

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