The Muskrat is a large, semi-aquatic vole with a laterally flattened, scaly tail it uses as a rudder while swimming. It builds dome-shaped lodges of cattails and marsh vegetation anchored in shallow water, similar in form to beaver lodges. Muskrats are a vital resource for wetland ecosystems, and their abandoned lodges provide nesting platforms for Canada Geese and other birds.
Best time to see a Muskrat
The best time to see a Muskrat is March–June, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 28,648 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Muskrat? What animal is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Muskrat sightings near you
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