MusKRAT Ondatra zlhetJiica zihrt/iica 



The Common Muskrat 



Fiber Zibctliicus 



The muskrat is quite generally distributed over 

 the State and is sought by many persons for its valuable 

 fur. It is several times as large as an ordinary rat and 

 has a rather thick body with short legs. The hind feet 

 are partly webbed and otherwise adapted to swimming. 



The long, scaly, nearly naked tail is flattened on 

 the sides and serves as a rudder when the animal is 

 swimming. The color is brown, but of various shades 

 in different individuals. It ranges from a very light to 

 a very dark and is always darker on the back. The 

 under side is whitish. The muskrat lives in swamps, 

 ponds and streams, and often burrows in the banks of 

 the latter to construct its nest which is placed in a large 

 chamber at the end of the burrow. While the chamber 

 is always above the water level, the entrance may be 

 beneath it. Muskrats also build large dome-shaped 



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