A semi-aquatic rodent often confused with beavers — but smaller (~3 lbs vs. ~50), with a thin rope-like tail. They build dome-shaped lodges from cattails and reeds and create open-water "trails" through dense marsh.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The muskrat or common muskrat is a medium-sized semiaquatic rodent.
Source: Wikipedia — Muskrat Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Medium-sized brown rodent with naked scaly tail laterally flattened (vs. beaver's round). Dense waterproof fur.
Similar species. Beaver (much larger, paddle tail). Nutria (introduced; round tail, white whiskers).
Voice. Squeaks, growls when threatened.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Aquatic plants (especially cattails), some animal matter (mussels, snails, frogs).
Behavior. Lives in wetlands; builds lodge-like nests of vegetation or dens in stream banks. Highly aquatic — webbed hind feet and laterally flattened tail.
§ Range
Throughout most of North America
§ Habitat
Marshes, ponds, streams with abundant vegetation
§ Threats
Wetland drainage, water quality decline, persecution by trappers in some regions.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the common muskrat is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Support wetland protection. Maintain natural shoreline buffers. Tolerate beaver and muskrat as ecological allies.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Muskrat
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Ondatra zibethicus
- IUCN Red List · taxon 15324
- iNaturalist · taxon 43791
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Ondatra zibethicus
§ Sources cited
- NWF Wildlife Guide
- National Park Service
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List 2016
