The Common Muskrat is the largest rodent in its subfamily. Most active at dusk, at dawn, and at night, it may be seen at any time of day in all seasons, especially spring. An excellent swimmer, this aquatic rodent spends much of its time in water. Propelled along by its slightly webbed hindfeet and using its rudder-like tail for steering, the Common Muskrat can swim backward or forward with ease; it dislikes strong currents and avoids rocky areas. Its mouth closes behind protruding incisors, thus allowing it to chew underwater. It can remain submerged for long periods, and will travel great distances underwater.
Ten Facts about Common Muskrat
- One individual was filmed underwater for 17 minutes, coming to the surface for air for 3 seconds, then submerging for another 10 minutes.
- The Common Muskrat eats mostly aquatic vegetation, such as cattails, sedges, rushes, water lilies, and pond weeds, along with some terrestrial plants.
- Naked at birth, the young become furred about two weeks after birth, and can then swim and dive; in a month.
- Droughts and flooding are common hazards faced by the Common Muskrat, leading to periodic population fluctuations.
- L 16 1/8-24" (409-620 mm); T 7 1/8-12 1/8" (180-307 mm); HF 2 1/2 -3 1/2" (64-88 mm); Wt 1 1/4-4 lb (541-1,816 g).
- Muskrats are found over most of Canada and the United States and a small part of northern Mexico.
- Muskrats normally live in family groups consisting of a male and female pair and their young.
- Muskrat families build nests to protect themselves and the young from cold and predators.
- Muskrats provide an important food resource for many other animals including mink, foxes, coyotes, wolves, lynx, bears, eagles, snakes, alligators, and large owls and hawks.
- Females can have 2 to 3 litters a year of 6 to 8 young each.
