Muskrat
Ondatra zibethicus
Muskrats can close their lips behind their front teeth, allowing them to gnaw on aquatic plants underwater without drowning.
- Scientific name
- Ondatra zibethicus
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Mammalia › Rodentia › Cricetidae › Ondatra
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- wetland
- Habitat
- Freshwater and brackish marshes, lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streams with sufficient water depth.
- Diet
- Omnivorous, but primarily feeds on aquatic vegetation such as cattails, water lilies, and pondweed; occasionally consumes mussels, crayfish, and small fish.
- Range
- North America, Europe, Asia
- Size
- 40-70 cm in length including tail; weight ranges from 0.6 to 2 kg.
- Lifespan
- 1-3 years
- Active
- crepuscular
- Threats
- Loss of wetland habitat, water pollution, and predation by mink, coyotes, and large birds of prey.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless if observed from a distance. Do not corner or attempt to handle, as they are defensive and can deliver a painful bite. If bitten, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water and consult a medical professional immediately.
The muskrat ( Ondatra zibethicus ), the only species in genus Ondatra and tribe Ondatrini , is a medium-sized semiaquatic rodent native to North America and is an introduced species in parts of Europe, Asia, and South America. The muskrat is found in wetlands over a wide range of climates and habitats. It has important effects on the ecology of wetlands, and is a resource of food and fur for humans.
Photo: Owen Strickland, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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