The typical lemming doesn’t jump off the cliff; he is pushed off by the pressure of the other lemmings behind him. Norway lemmings do overpopulate an area, eat up all of the food, and mass migrate to new locations.
If you’d like a parallel in the animal kingdom, look at the annual mass migration of wildebeests (gnus) in Africa. There was a nice IMAX movie made about it, which showed them being pushed over cliffs into rapidly running rivers filled with crocodiles. Other predators would follow the migration and pick off the stragglers.
Lemmings rushing over cliffs en masse is too valuable a popular trope to retire simply because it isn’t true.
Besides, it doesn’t matter what we know, it’s what the lemmings believe that counts. Thousands of years of superstitious indoctrination has convinced them that, if they leap off cliffs, they’ll fall UP to a paradisal lemming afterlife above the clouds.
(“Lemming” is such a fun word. Lemming. La-la-la-lemming. Lemmmmmmmmming. Lemming lemming lemming lemminglemminglemminglemminglemming… Do you like “Lemming”? I don’t know, I’ve never lemmed.)
And Lemmings don’t speak English, and don’t have stoves, and Lemming mothers probably don’t nag their children, and probably don’t wear lipstick - anything else?
I LIKED the cartoon - it IS a cartoon, it is NOT a Discovery Channel special on Lemmings.
Lemmings jumping off cliffs doesn’t actually kill them, it’s part of their migration route. They head for a hole in the bottom of the sea which leads straight through the center of the Earth and takes them to China, where they live half the year upside down. Six months later, they jump off a cliff in China and travel back through the hole to us. The absence of an equal and opposite legend of sodden hordes of lemmings crawling from the oceans is the result of a conspiracy of silence among the scientists and the Mainstream Media.
Ray C, would meringue going over the cliff be a dropping lemming topping?
Given all the popular misconceptions about these noble creatures, I’m organizing an All-Star benefit concert to raise public awareness. I’m calling it Lemming-Aid.
ksoskins over 14 years ago
The typical lemming doesn’t jump off the cliff; he is pushed off by the pressure of the other lemmings behind him. Norway lemmings do overpopulate an area, eat up all of the food, and mass migrate to new locations.
If you’d like a parallel in the animal kingdom, look at the annual mass migration of wildebeests (gnus) in Africa. There was a nice IMAX movie made about it, which showed them being pushed over cliffs into rapidly running rivers filled with crocodiles. Other predators would follow the migration and pick off the stragglers.
riley05 over 14 years ago
I thought the lemmings-cliff thing was a Disney creation, and is completely untrue…but gets perpetuated by ignorant people like McCoy.
gary wolner over 14 years ago
Gary’s worked 25 hours the last two days. At least I think my name is Gary.
lewisbower over 14 years ago
I believe everything I read in the 70s about lemmings in the Nat Lampoon. Have I express my political views.
Ray_C over 14 years ago
I wouldn’t chalk it up to ignorance, or overwork. Cartoonists often use stereotypes for humor. This isn’t a documentary.
GROG Premium Member over 14 years ago
Unfortunately, too many people don’t see them for what they are…CARTOONS!
bald over 14 years ago
these are cartoons, i thought it was a family photo album with words added
fritzoid Premium Member over 14 years ago
Lemmings rushing over cliffs en masse is too valuable a popular trope to retire simply because it isn’t true.
Besides, it doesn’t matter what we know, it’s what the lemmings believe that counts. Thousands of years of superstitious indoctrination has convinced them that, if they leap off cliffs, they’ll fall UP to a paradisal lemming afterlife above the clouds.
(“Lemming” is such a fun word. Lemming. La-la-la-lemming. Lemmmmmmmmming. Lemming lemming lemming lemminglemminglemminglemminglemming… Do you like “Lemming”? I don’t know, I’ve never lemmed.)
worldisacomic over 14 years ago
If the Democrats can do it! you can follow right along with them!
Ushindi over 14 years ago
And Lemmings don’t speak English, and don’t have stoves, and Lemming mothers probably don’t nag their children, and probably don’t wear lipstick - anything else?
I LIKED the cartoon - it IS a cartoon, it is NOT a Discovery Channel special on Lemmings.
fritzoid Premium Member over 14 years ago
Lemmings jumping off cliffs doesn’t actually kill them, it’s part of their migration route. They head for a hole in the bottom of the sea which leads straight through the center of the Earth and takes them to China, where they live half the year upside down. Six months later, they jump off a cliff in China and travel back through the hole to us. The absence of an equal and opposite legend of sodden hordes of lemmings crawling from the oceans is the result of a conspiracy of silence among the scientists and the Mainstream Media.
Teeming sopping lemmings creeping! Teeming sopping lemmings creeping! Teeming sopping lemmings creeping!
GROG Premium Member over 14 years ago
ROTFLMAO, Fritzoid
jpozenel over 14 years ago
Everything I ever wanted to know about lemmings but didn’t ask.
Ray_C over 14 years ago
Got me thinking about a nice lemming meringue pie! “If life gives you lemmings, follow them off the cliff.”
ottod Premium Member over 14 years ago
Thanks, Sheik. That was gnus to me.
fritzoid Premium Member over 14 years ago
Ray C, would meringue going over the cliff be a dropping lemming topping?
Given all the popular misconceptions about these noble creatures, I’m organizing an All-Star benefit concert to raise public awareness. I’m calling it Lemming-Aid.
Coyoty Premium Member over 14 years ago
I love lemming meringue pie with a layer of chocolate mouse.
gulfcoastgrl over 14 years ago
@fritzoid!
VERY funny! Great comments people! Anyone ever add a comic to their collection based on the comments? I have today!