Muskrat

Photo by Stan Tekiela

by Stan Tekiela
© NatureSmart

December 26, 2022

I am fascinated by a small fuzzy critter that is found just about anywhere there might be a spot of water in the United States and Canada. Not to mention, it has mastered a wide range of habitats and climates. Although it was introduced, it is also found throughout Europe and in parts of Asia and even South America. It is a common critter, but I am not sure you are seeing this critter very often or perhaps even know what it is.

So, what is the small fuzzy critter, it is the Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus). Ya, that’s right, the Muskrat. Before you wig out and become hyper critical of this semiaquatic rodent, hear me out. The Muskrat is a small critter allowing it to elude being seen much of the time. It is only 2-4 pounds and around 8 to 10 inches in length not counting the long thin tail which is another 8 or so inches long. In addition, it comes out at dawn and dusk or in the middle of the day if it is cloudy.

I mentioned they are fuzzy because they are covered with thick short brown fur that was often used by people to make hats and gloves. Their fur is waterproof and is made up of two layers. The underlying fur traps air which keeps them warm and dry. The longer outer fur protects the underlying fur and gives them their color.

They have a long naked tail that is covered in scales rather than fur. The tail is slightly flattened from top to bottom (laterally) and is used to help with propulsion when swimming however it is their back legs with oversized webbed feet which act like paddles for their main power to swim. Speaking of water, the Muskrat can stay underwater for up to 15 minutes before needing to surface to take a breath.

What I find cool about these critters is that they live in family units consisting of a male and female which are a mated pair along with their young. They live in a lodge which they construct out of vegetative plant material such as cattails and bullrush. The lodge can be upwards of three to four feet tall and has an underwater entrance. However, many muskrats that live in habitat that lack cattails they often burrow a chamber into the lake or riverbank where they take shelter. This is the case where I live. The lake levels are way down due to a drought and the entrance to shoreline den is now high and dry. The muskrats did their best to maintain a channel in the mud so they could swim up to their den but with the ongoing drought it is now a 20-foot walk to get to their den entrance. One more example of their ability to adapt.

Muskrats are unique and they don’t have any similar relatives. Because of this they have been placed in a Genus all by themselves. Don’t let the common name “rat” confuse you, they are not related to rats and contrary to what some people say they are not mini beavers, because they are not closely related to beavers either. Their closes living relatives are the voles and lemmings, which are much smaller and most are not aquatic.

The common name comes from the “musky” odor, which it uses to mark its territory and its long naked tail which looks like a rat’s tail. In the springtime Muskrats will actually fight to keep or take a territory from other Muskrats. These fights can lead to death for the looser.

Territories are usually in shallow ponds and lakes. They like ponds with lots of cattails and other aquatic vegetation which is their main food source. However, they eat more than plants. In fact, they are omnivores and will also eat meat if an opportunity presents itself. They eat about one-third of their own body weight daily. They usually gather and eat from a small home range or territory of only an acre or two in size.

Muskrats are prolific breeders. Females can give birth to three or four litters of young, called kits, each year. Each litter can have anywhere from three to six young. The babies are full grown by six weeks of age and often stay with the family. They will build several more lodges nearby where the young members of the family will move in and start their own family.

I see these little critters when I go for a walk in the evening. When they see me approaching, they dive and usually don’t come back up where I can see them. But I enjoy catching a glimpse of them and I hope you will also. Until next time…

Stan Tekiela is an author / naturalist and wildlife photographer who travels the world to study and capture images of wildlife. He can be followed at Instagram.com, facebook.com and twitter.com. He can be contacted via his web page at www.naturesmart.com.