Elbow Room
Posted by Daniel Walborn on July 20, 2006
Q: Is it possible to predict years when the lemming population will be low? For instance, what about this coming winter, the winter of 2006-2007. Will the lemming population be high/medium/low?
State: Alaska
A: Your question is a good one but I think there are enough variables in this "equation" that no one can know from one year to the next for sure. My guess would be however, that wildlife scientists in your area, for example, do keep an eye out on these cycles and may have a feeling whether this year will be another boom/bust or not. Although these cycles do have a pattern, it's not a consistent one. Hope this helps a bit. Thanks for asking.
John Wiessinger ( July 20, 2006)
Filed under: Mammals