Muskrat pictures and facts

The Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), is a semi-aquatic, medium-sized rodent. It is found in North America and has also been recently introduced in Asia, South America, and Europe. The main habitat of muskrat is wetlands but this animal can successfully adapt to different habitats and climates. It is very beneficial to nature and important to humans for its fur and as food.

Muskrats are not the true rats which belong to the genus Rattus. There are two scent glands near its tail which give off a strong musky smell that is used by muskrat to declare its territory. It is this attribute of the muskrat that has given it its name.

The size of an average muskrat is around 16 - 24 inches (40 - 60 cm). The size of its tail is almost double its body size and it weighs about 1.5 - 4 lb (0.7 - 1.8 kg). An adult muskrat is just a little longer than the brown rat but it weighs four times the weight of brown rat. It has a medium or dark brown coat with small but thick hair and the color of its belly is lighter than the body. The two-layer fur protects it from cold water. Instead of hair, they have scales on their long tail which flattens vertically to help them in swimming.

Muskrats spend a lot of time in water. They can stay under water for more than 15 minutes. They have the ability to close their ears when under water. Their semi-webbed hind feet help them a great deal in swimming but their tail plays a main role as a means of propulsion.

They are found in marshy lands close to salt water or fresh water wetlands, ponds, rivers, or lakes. Since the construction of canals and other irrigation channels is being created on large scales, muskrats are especially becoming common in these areas. Muskrats can survive in areas where sulfurous water from coal mines is released. Muskrats may occupy that area of water where other animals such as frogs or fish perish.

Like other rodents, muskrats are also prolific breeders. Females can give birth to 2-3 litters per year and there can be 6-8 young ones in each litter. The babies are very small and weigh only 0.8 oz (22 gm) at birth. In warm environment, it matures just in six months while in a cold climate it may take one year to mature.

Muskrats are active when it is cool at night, dawn, or dusk. Aquatic vegetation or cattails are their main food. Although plant materials fulfill 95% of their food needs, sometimes, they may also eat small animals such as frogs, fish, and mussels etc.