Muskrat
The muskrat (*Ondatra zibethicus*) is a semi-aquatic rodent native to North America.
The muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) is a semi-aquatic rodent native to North America. It lives in wetlands and is known for its dense brown fur and rat-like tail.
What it is
Muskrats are medium-sized rodents, not true rats, with thick brown fur, small ears, and a long, laterally flattened tail. They are often mistaken for beavers but are much smaller and have a distinctly different tail shape.
Where it lives
Muskrats are found across Canada in freshwater and brackish wetlands such as marshes, ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams. They prefer areas with abundant aquatic vegetation and slow-moving or still water.
What it eats and how it behaves
Muskrats are mostly herbivores, feeding on aquatic plants like cattails, reeds, and pondweed. They may also eat insects, snails, crayfish, fish, and amphibians. They build lodges or bank dens and stay active through winter.
In short
- Not a true rat — it's a large rodent in the Cricetidae family.
- Semi-aquatic with webbed hind feet and a flattened tail.
- Mainly eats aquatic plants but also small animals.
- Native to Canada and common in wetlands across the country.
Muskrats are native to Canada and are widely found in Canadian wetlands, where they are part of local ecosystems and are familiar to wildlife observers, trappers, and land managers.
Quick questions
What is a muskrat?
Where do muskrats live?
What do muskrats eat?
Sources
- Live Science — https://www.livescience.com/57668-muskrat-facts.htmlSupports: General size and rodent classification
- Havahart — https://www.havahart.com/muskrat-factsSupports: Scientific name, range, habitat, diet, and disease note
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/animal/muskratSupports: Species description and broad distribution
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game — https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=muskrat.printerfriendlySupports: Size, identification, and weight
- Nevada Department of Wildlife — https://www.ndow.org/species/muskrat/Supports: Habitat, diet, behaviour, and reproduction
- Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife — https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/species-information/mammals/muskrat.htmlSupports: Habitat, diet, and physical description
- U.S. National Park Service — https://www.nps.gov/mnrr/learn/nature/muskrat.htmSupports: Diet, habitat, and difference from beavers
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation — https://www.dec.ny.gov/nature/animals-fish-plants/muskratSupports: Size, habitat, and diet