Muskrat

Muskrat

This muskrat was spotted on the Third Lake. Muskrats usually eat cattails and other vegetation but can also eat frogs, crayfish, and fish. They are unique "water" animals and can stay underwater for 15 minutes. They have the bodies like seals and use their tail for propulsion. They either build lodges, like a beaver, or burrow in the ground with underwater entrances. They are sometimes confused with the beaver, however a muskrat is around 1-4 lbs whereas a beaver is 30-88 lbs. interesting Fact: Muskrats get their name from a musky smell they mark the territories with. (view nature archive on sidebar (#10)