A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Ondatra zibethicus
Also called push-ups, dens, or mounds. Muskrat lodges are structured from reeds, grasses, and sticks. They can be several feet high.
Backwaters of the Mississippi River
While kayaking the backwaters, I found dozens of these muskrat lodges. I could hear the muskrats in some of them making little grunting noises. Not sure what was going on in there:)
Spotted on Dec 12, 2015
Submitted on Jan 21, 2016
5 Comments
Project Noah Fun Fact: Muskrats mostly inhabit wetlands, areas in or near saline and freshwater wetlands, rivers, lakes, or ponds. Muskrats normally live in groups consisting of a male and female pair and their young. During the spring, they often fight with other muskrats over territory and potential mates. Many are injured or killed in these fights. Muskrat families build nests to protect themselves and their young from cold and predators. In streams, ponds or lakes, muskrats burrow into the bank with an underwater entrance.
Muskrats are found over most of Canada and the United States and a small part of northern Mexico. They were introduced to Europe where they have become an invasive species. ~Wikipedia
Muskrat Lodge (Ondatra zibethicus) spotted in Illinois, USA by PN member beaker98.
https://www.facebook.com/projectnoah/pho...
Thanks armadeus! They really are interesting. I would love to see the inside of it.
That is so cool!!!
Added to mission Ava!
Please consider adding this spotting to the Animal Architecture mission at http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/8082...