Lemmings are mainly seen in summer but are active throughout the winter, living in nests made of grass and burrowing through snowy tunnels along the ground. Lemming numbers usually go through a four-year cycle, but some peaks may bring greater abundance than others and some areas may experience peaks sooner than elsewhere. The brown lemming prefers wetter areas, while the collared lemming is usually seen in rocky terrain. The collared lemming turns white in winter, and is the only one to occupy the High Arctic islands. They live among rocks on rough hillsides and mountains, where they have ready shelter from foxes, gyrfalcons and other predators.
Hares eat grasses, sedges, willows and other plants.
Across most of their range, they are seen in small family units, but on the Queen Elizabeth Islands you may encounter herds of 100 or more. From a distance, these groups look like white clouds flowing across the summer tundra. In southern parts of their range, they may moult to grey or brown in summer. Nunavut Parks are national treasures that are meant to be shared. Nunavut Parks are as varied as they are sensational.