2006-08-27 01:08:04 · 14 answers · asked by oor wullie 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
They don't. It is a myth.
Sure, lemmings may be prone to overpopulation. But the population increase is not sufficient to cause the migration most people believe happen.
Instead, the lemmings still are preyed upon by foxes, owls, and even polar bears. The increased population is then effectively controlled. The population "boom" does not happen, and lemmings have no need for migration.
By the way, it has been suggested that both myths (jumping over cliffs, migration) can be attributed to a Disney crew sent lo lemming country to do a documentary, but ended up doctoring several shots so that it would seem that lemmings do the stuff they really don't even attempt.
2006-08-27 06:38:14 · answer #1 · answered by dennis_d_wurm 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lemming populations go through rapid growths and subsequent crashes that have achieved an almost legendary status, largely because of the Walt Disney Pictures film, White Wilderness, which was produced in 1958 and reappeared on television at regular intervals for many years afterwards. White Wilderness popularized, using staged footage, the myth that during population booms Norway lemmings become suicidal and leap en masse off cliffs into the sea. For this reason, the term "lemming" is often used in slang to denote those who mindlessly follow the crowd, even if destruction is the result.
In fact, the behavior of lemmings is much the same as that of many other rodents which have periodic population booms and then disperse in all directions, seeking the food and shelter that their natural habitat cannot provide. (The Australian Long-haired Rat is one example.) The actual reason for their 'suicide' deaths is because lemmings have notoriously poor eyesight and cannot distinguish a small river, which they can easily cross, from a fjord, in which they will almost surely drown.
2006-08-27 01:27:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lemmings never did this until the popularization of rap music. Since they are just poor little rodents and have no access to ear plugs they have no choice but to "stop the noise" by committing mass suicide.
2006-08-27 06:45:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Apparently they ran off the cliff to escape the Walt Disney film crew
2006-08-27 06:54:28 · answer #4 · answered by Rosco C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is a myth originates from a bbc documentary about lemmings a bored camerman thought it would be hilarious to chase them and see what they did, never experienced humans before they ran towards a cliff and jumped the video you see of them jumping doesnt show the laughing camermen.
2006-08-30 00:48:01 · answer #5 · answered by jojo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a form of evolved population control. When the population in a particular area gets too dense for the resources to support it, the individuals feel a strong urge to run away. When they get going, it can be so strong that it is like a form of panic. They will run regardless of obstacles or even cliffs.
2006-08-27 01:39:01 · answer #6 · answered by Robin 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
They read a book on evolution and are trying to learn to fly
2006-08-27 11:18:17 · answer #7 · answered by a Real Truthseeker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They do it at the start of every school year!
2006-08-27 01:15:21 · answer #8 · answered by Barbara M 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
there are completely stupid creatures and have no sense of direction they follow a leader who gets them killed
2006-08-27 01:12:42 · answer #9 · answered by futurehero5200 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
they have poor eye sight they dont know its a cliff till its to late .////////////////////
2006-08-28 10:20:15 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋