The Fur Animals of Louisiana 



231 



A typical Louisiana muskrat and wild duck marsh in Cameron parish. This area was 

 highly productive of the fur-bearer and here a large 'rat ranch' is being operated. 



The integument, a protuberance or sheath, which con- 

 tains the outlet of the urinary system, near the tail, will be 

 seen. By pushing back the flesh of this sheath the penis 

 will be exposed, if it is a male. The sexual organs of the 

 female are in the opening at the base of an integument 

 which resembles the protuberance of the male. It will be 

 noted that a female is void of hair or fur between this pro- 

 tuberance and the anus, while a boar muskrat is furred. 

 The integument is furred and carries a pencil of hairs on 

 the apex. On a young female the bare spot may be small. 



It should be borne in mind that the muskrat being ex- 

 amined should not be handled roughly. Jerking the animal 

 by the tail is liable to cause a swelling at the base of the 

 tail, indicating a dislocation of the tail vertebrate, and fre- 

 quently the hind legs become afflicted with paralysis. 



