Photos and Article by Jan Ramelli
I don’t know anyone who can’t say “Muskrat” without remembering the 1976 hit song by Captain & Tennille peaking at number four on the Hot 100 chart!
The Muskrat is usually active at night but can be seen at anytime of the day, especially in the spring.
They eat aquatic vegetation, freshwater clams, crayfish, frogs and fish.
September is their breeding season and the female can produce up to 5 litters per year, with up to 7 kits in each litter.
After the young reach 2 weeks they can swim and dive, and the mother will often wean and drive them away at around 2 months.
About 10 million muskrats are trapped annually for the fur trade, and are considered good eating (sold as a marsh rabbit).
