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Muskrat

Ondatra zibethicus

Description:

The muskrat swims low in the water, with its long, almost-hairless tail curling behind. Often, the muskrat can be seen carrying aquatic vegetation as it swims. It's about 20 inches long, including its 9-inch tail. Adults weigh from 2 to 5 pounds. The upper body is reddish brown, while the under parts are grayish brown.

Habitat:

It lives in marshes, ponds, and streams that have many water plants. Several hundred muskrats can live in a single wetland. Although famous for its domed houses of mud and vegetation, it just as often lives in burrows.

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Nature Nerd
Spotted by
Nature Nerd

Wisconsin, USA

Spotted on Apr 19, 2015
Submitted on May 3, 2015

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