Quiet streams or the shallow grassy margins of ponds and lakes are the home of this valuable little fur-bearing animal. More valuable than many people realize since few know that he is the Hudson Seal and other trade names of our popular fur coats. Ironically, muskrat fur is used as an excellent imitation of his greatest enemy, the mink, in the mink-dyed muskrat coats.
A hardy little animal that lives much like the beaver, in bank dens with underwater entrances or in dome-shaped houses made of rushes, grass, turf and mud instead of the coarser sticks and branches used by the beaver. In these houses or bank dens they spend the winter in comfort. Remaining active all of the year and seldom storing any food, muskrats are out in the coldest weather.
Their food consists of bulbs and tubers, roots, tender portions of numerous marsh and water plants, sedges, grass and clover, and possibly some small aquatic animal life, salamanders, etc. In the winter it is sometimes necessary to make extensive excursions under the ice in search of food.
Muskrat
The young are born in the house or bank nests in May or June, usually six or eight in a litter. In lower, milder sections more than one litter is raised during the year. Fortunately muskrats are prolific breeders.
The name muskrat originated from the fact that there are two glands near the base of the tail that contain the strong though not unpleasant musk, which may be left at intervals about his haunts possibly as signs or marks of possession. While several may use the winter house the muskrat is ordinarily rather fussy and gets into frequent fights over territorial rights.
General description: A rather large, robust, somewhat rat-like appearing animal, with short legs and broad feet, the hind ones partially webbed; tail long, scaly and sparsely haired, flattened laterally. Ears scarcely showing above fur which is dense with longer guard hairs. Upperparts are dark brown, underparts lighter in appearance. Total length 23½ inches, tail 10 inches; weight about two pounds.
Where found: Throughout the park along moving streams, like the Yellowstone River between Lake and Canyon, and most of the ponds and lakes. Frequently working in the morning and latter part of the afternoon as well as at night.