Arctic lemming vs Polar bear

Dicrostonyx torquatus compared with Ursus maritimus

Key Differences

Arctic lemming is Least Concern while Polar bear is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Arctic lemming	Polar bear
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Rodentia (Rodents)	Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family	Cricetidae	Ursidae (Bears)
Genus	Dicrostonyx	Ursus (Bears)
Species	Dicrostonyx torquatus	Ursus maritimus

Evolutionary Relationship

Arctic lemming and Polar bear share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Mammals)

View Class: Mammalia

Conservation Status

Arctic lemming

LC — Least Concern

Polar bear

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~26.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Arctic lemming	Polar bear
Diet	—	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	—	25 years
Average Length	—	2.4 m
Average Weight	—	450.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Arctic lemming

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Polar bear

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, temperate coniferous forests, and boreal forests and taiga, among 4 distinct biome types within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found in Norway. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

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.

Polar bear

The largest land carnivore on Earth, polar bears can exceed 700 kg and are found across Arctic sea ice from Canada to Russia. Highly specialized marine mammals that rely on sea ice to hunt ringed and bearded seals. Excellent swimmers capable of covering vast distances in open water. Listed as Vulnerable, with populations under severe pressure from rapid Arctic sea ice loss due to climate change.