ondatra zibethicus, us fish and wildlife service

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Adept Swimmer (9152359539)

Adept Swimmer (9152359539)

Muskrats are large rodents that always live near water. They are excellent swimmers, as demonstrated by this one outside of the visitor center. USFWS / BJ Baker, National Elk Refuge volunteer

Muskrat (6845388422)

Muskrat (6845388422)

Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, IA Autumn 2011 Photo: Alex Galt, USFWS

Muskrat (6893888339)

Muskrat (6893888339)

Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, MO Fall 2011 Photo: Alex Galt/USFWS

Muskrat on Seedskadee NWR (23045047916)

Muskrat on Seedskadee NWR (23045047916)

Brrrrr....... Muskrats live in cold/icy water in the winters and keeping a waterproof coat is essential to survival. Taken on Seedskadee NWR. Photo: Tom Koerner/USFWS

Muskrat (33697585246)

Muskrat (33697585246)

Now that spring has arrived, we've been seeing a lot of muskrat activity at Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge in Iowa. Photo by Jessica Bolser/USFWS.

Muskrat Ready for Lunch! (21088714920)

Muskrat Ready for Lunch! (21088714920)

This muskrat at Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge​ in Iowa is ready for lunch! Vegetation makes up the majority of a muskrat’s diet. Bulrush and cattail are a couple favorites. Photo by Jessica Bolser/USFWS.

Muskrat on Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge (22972773455)
Muskrat on Seedskadee NWR (22652621587)

Muskrat on Seedskadee NWR (22652621587)

A muskrat surfaces though a thin layer of ice, wearing several pieces on its head and back. Brrrrr....... Muskrats live in cold/icy water in the winters and keeping a waterproof coat is essential to survival.... More

Muskrat on Seedskadee NWR (23082063821)

Muskrat on Seedskadee NWR (23082063821)

A muskrat feeds on hardstem bulrush while sitting on the ice at Seedskadee NWR. Photo: Tom Koerner/USFWS

Muskrat and Rose Colored Reflection on Seedskadee NWR (23070732435)

Muskrat and Rose Colored Reflection on Seedskadee NWR (23070732435)

A muskrat glides past with a rose colored reflection from the waters surface at sunset on Seedskade NWR. Photo: Tom Koerner/USFWS

Unintended bycatch (14108827666)

Unintended bycatch (14108827666)

While making their morning rounds, Montana FWCO biologists were greeted by an unusual guest. Expecting to count Arctic Grayling, they had to first remove a muskrat from our trap. The design of a fish trap reli... More

Young Muskrat Eating Hardstem Bulrush on Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge (21984009442)
Young Muskrat on Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge (19557079414)
Muskrat Grooming (20820456844)

Muskrat Grooming (20820456844)

Marsh wrens squabble amongst themselves as a plump muskrat grooms himself. Muskrats make underwater trails through marshes that they continue to use through the winter. Muskrats also build feeding platforms i... More

Muskrat on Seedskadee NWR (22803679033)
Muskrat on Seedskadee NWR (22803506983)
Muskrat on Seedskadee NWR (23321840542)

Muskrat on Seedskadee NWR (23321840542)

This young muskrat was repeatedly diving into shallow portions of the river and returning to shore with submerged aquatic vegetation to eat. Photo: Tom Koerner/USFWS

Muskrats (12820383514)

Muskrats (12820383514)

Muskrats on Bowdoin NWR Credit: USFWS

Muskrat Tracks in the Snow on Seedskadee NWR (22852124974)

Muskrat Tracks in the Snow on Seedskadee NWR (22852124974)

The tracks of a muskrat left in a fresh snow on Seedskadee NWR. The telltale tail dragging helps to identify what critter left the tracks. Photo: Tom Koerner/USFWS