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| Distribution |
In NC, the range is bimodal, occurring only in the mountains and in the northeastern and far eastern Coastal Plain; seemingly absent from the Piedmont and the western Coastal Plain. Probably occurs in all mountain counties, though it could be absent in several in the far southwestern corner of the state.
Occurs over the northeastern quarter of the country, into southeastern Canada; ranges south to NC, northeastern AR, and KS. |
| Abundance |
Rare to uncommon, and somewhat local (because of its spotty habitat) in the mountains; rare to uncommon in the Coastal Plain north of Albemarle Sound, but very rare or poorly known south to Jones and Craven counties. |
| Seasonal Occurrence |
Active year-round. |
| Habitat |
In the mountains, occurs in bogs, wet meadows, open wet grassy areas, and damp thickets, but avoids forests. In the Coastal Plain, it favors damp weedy fields and recent clearcuts, canebrakes, and marshy edges; not usually in shaded habitats. |
| Behavior |
Generally nocturnal, but at times active by day. Utilizes runways through dense grassy cover for movement and feeding, but has underground tunnels and burrows for roosting and nesting. |
| Comments |
This species has two subspecies in NC -- the mountain population is Synaptomys cooperi stonei, and the Coastal Plain population is S. c. helaletes. Though neither is truly rare in the state, the coastal population, known as the Dismal Swamp Southern Bog Lemming, is considered as Significantly Rare by the N.C. Natural Heritage Program. It actually can be locally numerous in the Dismal Swamp area, but there are just a few scattered records southward into Croatan National Forest. |
| Origin |
Native |
| NC List |
Official |
 State Rank |
S3S4 |
| State Status |
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| Global Rank |
G5 |
| Federal Status |
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| subspecies |
Synaptomys cooperi stonei, Synaptomys cooperi helaletes (Significantly Rare)
Synaptomys c. stonei occurs in the mountains, whereas S. c. helaletes is limited to the northeastern Coastal Plain. |
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| synonym |
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