Mammal Web Page

Muskrats

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Rodentia
Family	Muridae
Genus	Ondatra
Species	zibethicus

http://www.k12.nf.ca/roncallihigh/nl_animals/muskrat/muskrat.gif

Description

Muskrats have very robust bodies. They are twelve to twelve and a half inches long. There tails are flat and scaly. Muskrats tails are nine to nine and a half inches long. They have dense fur that covers the ears for insulation and buoyancy. They also have short legs and big feet. Their back legs are slightly webbed for swimming.

http://www.holoweb.com/cannon/images/muskrat2.gif

Habitat

Muskrats are found in most wetlands ranging from all of the northern United States to the gulf coast and Mexico. There favorite places are wet marshes with a water level that stays the same all throughout the year that also produces green vegetation for the muskrats to eat. they use the banks of the marshes to burrow a distinctive home for themselves. They make tunnels instead of a hole formed by piles of vegetation on a steady base such as a hollow tree stump.

http://www.merribuck.com/Muskrat2.jpg

Muskrat Range

Most Muskrats live on the northern North America all the way down to the Gulf Coast and Mexican boarder. Early 20th century they were introduced to Europe Asia.

http://www.northstar.k12.ak.us/schools/joy/creamers/Mammals/Largemammals/MUSKRAT.GIF

Muskrats prey

Muskrats are mostly vegetarians but will eat meat if they have to. They consume one third of there body weight everyday. There digestive system is designed for green vegetation. In summer they eat aquatic plant roots.

http://www.k12.nf.ca/stedwards/grassroots/canadian_creatures/images/pic_muskrat.jpg

Muskrats Life Cycle

When Muskrats are born they weigh around 22 grams. They are able to swim when they are around ten days old. Muskrats are able to eat green vegetation when they are around twenty-one days of age. They are around thirty days old when they become independent of there parents. When Muskrats are the age of around two hundred days old they become and adult. The average lifespan for the common muskrat is around three to four years.

http://midwest.fws.gov/MinnesotaValley/images/photos/muskrat.jpg

Fun Facts

1. They are cannibals. 2. They can stay underwater for twelve to seventeen minutes. 3. They eat one third there body weight everyday. 4.Muskrats plug drain tiles on farms. 5. Humans can consume muskrat meat. 6. Important fur for the fur trade. 7. They do not have a good sense of smell hearing and sight. 8. Reach adulthood when two hundred days old. 9. Were introduced to Europe in 1905. 10. Can use the musk it secretes for perfume.

http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/StratfordLandingES/Ecology/Mammals/Muskrat/musratlodge.jpg

important factors of living for muskrats

Muskrats only need four things to survive. They need green vegetation to eat. They need banks to burrow in for homes. They need water to swim in and a fairly warm climate.

http://www.meyerswildlifestudio.com/MuskratsA.jpg

Human impact (positive and negative)

Muskrats have negative and positive impact on humans. First they have a negative impact for farmers they eat crops of farmers and drain plug tiles. The positive impact is that the fur of a muskrat is important in the Michigan fur trade and humans can consume muskrat meat.

www.animal diversity.com. 13 Feb. 2004
<http://www.animaldiversity.com,http://www.google.com>.

Description	Habitat	Range	Food	Life Cycle
Survival	Facts	Human Impact	References	Links