lemmings mystery

When the number of lemmings expands rapidly and reaches a certain density, for example, there are hundreds of lemmings per hectare, a strange phenomenon will appear: at this time, almost all lemmings suddenly become restless, they run around, make noise and stop eating, as if disaster is coming and the end of the world is coming. At this time, lemmings are no longer timid and run away from everyone. Instead, they are brave and fearless in front of any natural enemies, obviously provocative, and sometimes even take the initiative to attack, which is really a bit fearless. What is more difficult to explain is that at this time, even their skin color will change obviously, from gray-black to bright orange-red, which is particularly prominent. All these strange phenomena together, the only possible and reasonable explanation is that they are no different from suicide, and they are all aimed at attracting the attention of natural enemies such as owls, skua, gray-black seagulls, thick-legged vultures, arctic foxes and even polar bears, so as to devour them more. This is the second secret of lemmings.

The mystery of the great migration of lemmings.

There are too many lemmings, but the number of natural enemies is always limited. No matter how you expose yourself, the effect is not great. So they will show a very strong sense of migration, gather together and gradually form a large group. At first, they seemed to have no direction and goal, and they ran around like they were in a hurry, making preparations before departure. But later, I don't know who gave the order or who took the lead, but they suddenly set off in the same direction. I often rest and eat during the day and go forward in the dark at night. Rats are constantly joining along the way, and the team will get bigger and bigger, often reaching millions. They will cross the mountains, wade through the water, go forward bravely, go to the sea without detours and stops, still fearless, and jump down one after another until they are swallowed up by the raging waves and wiped out by the whole army. This is the third mystery of lemmings.

An American article entitled Sandnes and Heroic Sacrifice in the Sea-Towards the Covenant of Death became popular on the Internet, and was transferred from the Reader's issue 15 in 2005. It is said that a Norwegian cancer patient had an epiphany while following lemmings to death: there is no need to be afraid of death, because life and death are both part of life. However, judging from the content and writing style, it is not like a translated work, but a fake work by domestic writers, which vividly depicts the scene of millions of lemmings jumping into the sea and committing suicide after a long journey for the benefit of species. In fact, it is adapted from a popular science article introducing China's "Lemmings Mystery".

Legend has it that when the number of lemmings reaches its peak, they will spontaneously migrate collectively and commit suicide in the sea, leaving only a few similar people behind to undertake the sacred task of carrying on the family line. In the documentary "White Wilderness" filmed by Disney in 1958, the lemmings migrated in groups and finally committed suicide by jumping into the sea, with very sensational explanations. This Oscar-winning film has far-reaching influence, and the touching legend that makes lemmings go to the death Covenant is well-known in the west.

But the scene of that documentary was faked. The film was shot in Alberta, Canada, where lemmings are not produced. The photography team went to the North Pole to buy dozens of lemmings from Inuit children, let them run on a turntable covered with snow, shoot from all angles, and after editing, thousands of lemmings migrated. After that, the film crew took the lemmings to the edge of the cliff, hoping to film them jumping into the river under the cliff and drowning. Unexpectedly, lemmings didn't want to jump. After waiting for two days, the impatient photography team drove the lemmings off the cliff and committed suicide by jumping into the sea.

Why the number of lemmings changes periodically is an inconclusive biological topic, which may be related to natural enemies, food, climate, seasons and other factors. For example, an obvious but unconfirmed explanation is that the rapid increase in the number of lemmings destroyed the vegetation, resulting in food shortage and a large number of lemmings starved to death. Then the vegetation began to recover and a new cycle appeared. In fact, this phenomenon is not unique to lemmings. Other small animals living in harsh conditions will have similar periodic changes in their populations.

Although there are different views on the answer to this question, experts agree on this point: lemmings will not commit suicide collectively. When the number of lemmings increases sharply and local food becomes scarce, lemmings, like other animals, will spread to other places. It is observed that in the mountainous areas of Norway, the lemmings on the mountain spread to the valley, and some of them will gradually reach the lake and the seaside and settle down there. But with more and more latecomers, some will try to swim to the other side, and some will be drowned. This may be the source of the myth of collective suicide of lemmings.

In recent years, some experts have tried to explain the mystery of the decline in the number of lemmings from their own changes. For example, with the increase of mouse population density, the social interaction and pressure between lemmings increase, which leads to the change of hormone levels in the body, thus reducing its fertility and becoming more aggressive. When the population density is too high, lemmings' reaction is not to sacrifice themselves, but to attack other lemmings and even kill each other.

The myth that lemmings are about to die will not disappear as easily as the myth that lemmings fall from the sky. No matter how the experts clarify, this myth will always be passed down as a scientific fact and an educational natural wonder. After all, for many people, beautiful lies are better than cold facts.

I know what it is, but it's on Baidu. I stole it and posted it to you.