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Hudson Bay collared lemming

Hudson Bay collared lemming

9.6
A small mouse-like Arctic animal with a ring of lighter fur around the neck
  • noun
  • Canadian
translation icon : lemming de collar de la bahía de Hudson
  • The Hudson Bay collared lemming can be identified by its distinct collar-like fur along its neck.

Examples

  • The Hudson Bay collared lemming is well adapted to the harsh Arctic environment.

  • Researchers tracked the migration patterns of the Hudson Bay collared lemming through the tundra.

  • Populations of Hudson Bay collared lemmings fluctuate dramatically depending on food supply and predation.

  • The Hudson Bay collared lemming is known for its unique fur.

  • Many Hudson Bay collared lemmings live in the tundra.

  • In summer, the Hudson Bay collared lemming changes its fur color to blend in with the tundra environment.

  • Observers noted that the Hudson Bay collared lemming often forages for food in groups.

Synonyms

Dicrostonyx hudsonius
vsHudson Bay collared lemming
  • Specialized
9.9

A small lemming that lives on the tundra in northern Canada

focuses on the species' distinctive collar-like fur marking

Surface Forms

Morphology

Hudson + bay + collared + lemming

The phrase is directly compositional: a 'lemming' (small rodent) that is 'collared' and associated with 'Hudson Bay', so a learner who knows the constituent words can infer it refers to a species of lemming with a collar-like marking from the Hudson Bay area. Even if the proper name 'Hudson' is unfamiliar, the place-word 'bay' plus 'collared lemming' makes the meaning clear; this naming pattern for species is common cross-linguistically.

Etymology

Hudson Bay collared lemming is a name that tells where the animal lives and how it looks: Hudson Bay shows the area it is found, collared describes a dark ring of fur like a collar, and lemming is the small Arctic animal, so the name 'means' a lemming with a collar-like fur mark found near Hudson Bay.