MUSKRAT (Ondatra zibethica osoyoosensis)
This water mammal might well be a miniature beaver to the casual observer, with the one distinguishing feature of having a long, scaly tail flattened in the vertical plane instead of the beaver’s broad, flat tail. Length not more than 2 feet. When swimming, only a small portion of the top of the animal shows above water, along with a thin edge of the tail, which is used with a sculling and rudder effect.
Muskrat are common in the Park, often living in beaver-made ponds. They are therefore often confused with beaver by the uninitiated, but if attention is given to the size and tail characteristics, there will be no identification difficulty. The muskrat or “rats,” as they are often called, build dens in the banks of the ponds and more rarely in this region, small grass and mud lodges. Their principal foods are rushes, grass, and water plants. In ponds containing active muskrat these plants are often found cut and floating near the banks.
Weasel changing from brown summer coat to white winter fur
Photo by D. J. Obee
Badger
Porcupine
Muskrat