lemmings do they kill themselves?

Question

is it true that lemmings do not kill themselves it was just made it by disney
i think i heard it on qi but cant be sure

Answer 1

Actually, yes, this is a myth. It is true that Disney heavily promoted it with their movie "White Wilderness," but it is unknown whether this was the first time the myth appeared. In reality, the myth probably came about when lemmings, migrating en masse, forced some of their number over the edge of a cliff while traveling.

Answer 2

They don't kill themselves on purpose. But in years when they are overpopulated (this is part of a natural cycle) large numbers of them may be traveling together, and this can lead to accidents such as some being crowded over a cliff. When there is an overabundance of lemmings, they tend to run out of food, which is why they travel looking for more. The following year, their numbers are depleted due to this die-off, and then the population gradually increases again over the next few years. This cycle also affects the populations of predator species that eat lemmings.

Answer 3

It's true. It's their natural instinct.