Arctic lemming vs field vole

Dicrostonyx torquatus compared with Microtus agrestis

Key Differences

• Arctic lemming is Least Concern while field vole is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Arctic lemming	field vole
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order same	Rodentia (Rodents)	Rodentia (Rodents)
Family same	Cricetidae	Cricetidae
Genus	Dicrostonyx	Microtus
Species	Dicrostonyx torquatus	Microtus agrestis

Evolutionary Relationship

Arctic lemming and field vole share a common ancestor at the Family level: Cricetidae.

Conservation Status

Arctic lemming

LC — Least Concern

field vole

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Arctic lemming	field vole
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Arctic lemming

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

field vole

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Russia, and Sweden. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Arctic lemming

The Arctic lemming (Dicrostonyx torquatus) is a species in the genus Dicrostonyx. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

field vole

field vole (Microtus agrestis) is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List. Close to qualifying as threatened, with populations that may become vulnerable without conservation action.