The Norway Lemming (Lemmus lemmus), also known as the Norwegian lemming, is a species of rodent native to arctic regions of Scandinavia. They are one of the most well known lemmings and are a huge part of the diets of many arctic predators such as gray wolves, snowy owls, wolverines, red foxes, and Eurasian ermines. They spend the winter in the subnivean zone, underneath the snow, keeping warm. Then, they come out when the snow melts in the summer. They can rear lots of young year-round when there's plenty of food, including moss, grass, and lichen.
Every 3 to 4 years, their populations skyrocket, but the next year, they drop dramatically. This is because they've eaten up all their food and must migrate somewhere else to find more. This has lead to a huge misconception that they wittingly commit suicide by jumping off cliffs into the water. In reality, they do this because their migratory instincts are so strong that it often leads them to cross bodies of water in any way possible. Despite being good swimmers, some may drown when attempting to cross an ocean or any other body of water that may exceed their physical capabilities.