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The muskrat is a large, stout, semi-aquatic rodent. Its head is broad and blunt with short ears barely visible through the fur. The muskrat's coat is basically waterproof and is soft, dense, and reddish brown with a grayish brown belly. Its tail is scaled, nearly hairless, and somewhat flattened on the sides. They typically weigh between 2 and 5 pounds and roughly 15 to 25 inches in length.
Muskrats primarily eat aquatic plants including cattails, arrowheads, and duckweeds. Occasionally they eat crayfish, snails, mussels, frogs, insects, and slow-moving fish.
Muskrats are active throughout the year and, although mainly nocturnal, they are sometimes seen during the day. They are susceptible to cold and wind and spend more time in their dens during the winter. Although several may share a lodge during the winter, muskrats are highly territorial and aggressive toward each other. The muskrat's normal home range is usually within 200 yards of its den, although it may travel several miles over land in search of suitable habitat.
Nuisance Concerns: Muskrats can cause problems and damage in a variety of ways.
- Ponds and shorelines - damage caused by burrowing into dams and banks to make dens, thus seriously compromising shorelines and banks. This increases the chance of seepage and erosion
- Livestock - Muskrat activity on rural farm ponds can create unsafe conditions for livestock. Heavy livestock can breakthrough surface tunnels risking serious and potentially life-threatening injury.
- Crops - They can also become a nuisance to farmers and gardeners when muskrats feed on crops or vegetables.
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