arrow_back Species Library
Muskrat
Mammals Most active at dawn and dusk

Muskrat

Ondatra zibethicus

iNaturalist Wikipedia

The muskrat is a master of the marsh, a resilient and resourceful architect that transforms every waterway it touches into a thriving habitat.

0 Sightings
0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

16-28 inches (40-70 cm) in length; 1.5-4.4 lbs (0.6-2 kg) in weight

palette

Colors

Glossy dark brown to reddish-brown upper fur; silvery-grey or buff underbelly; black scaly tail

visibility

Key Features

  • Vertically flattened, rudder-like tail
  • Small ears nearly hidden by thick fur
  • Valved nostrils and ears for underwater activity
  • Prominent, orange incisors
add_a_photo
Is this a Muskrat?

Drop a photo or video, or paste from clipboard

When You’ll See Them

schedule
Activity pattern Most active at dawn and dusk
brightness_5
Peak hours 5-8 AM, 6-10 PM
calendar_month
Season Year-round
restaurant
Diet Primarily herbivorous, focusing on aquatic plants like cattails, water lilies, and sedges; will also eat mussels, crayfish, and small fish if plant food is scarce.
park
Habitat Slow-moving freshwater or brackish environments including marshes, ponds, lakes, drainage ditches, and river banks.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Muskrat Live?

The muskrat is a quintessential North American species, natively spanning the vast majority of the continent from the northern reaches of Canada and Alaska down to the southern United States. While they are absent from the driest parts of the American Southwest and the tip of Florida, they have successfully colonized almost every other permanent waterway in their home range. In the 20th century, they were introduced to Europe and Northern Asia for the fur trade, where they have since established massive, self-sustaining populations across the Palearctic, thriving in temperate and boreal climates alike.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

8 Countries
20.5M km² Range
Least Concern Conservation
US United States CA Canada Russia DE Germany PL Poland FR France CN China Ukraine
eco
iNaturalist / Verified observation data
View on iNaturalist open_in_new

Explore more Mammals arrow_forward

Behavior

Muskrats are highly industrious semiaquatic rodents that function as the landscape architects of the wetlands. They are famous for building conical 'lodges' out of cattails and mud, though in many areas, they prefer to excavate complex burrow systems into the banks of ponds and slow-moving streams. These burrows usually feature underwater entrances that lead to dry chambers above the water level, providing safety from terrestrial predators.

While they are primarily crepuscular, active mostly during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk, muskrats can be seen during the day, especially in quiet, undisturbed habitats. They are non-hibernating and remain active throughout the winter, often swimming under the ice to reach submerged food sources. Despite their cute appearance, they are fiercely territorial and will defend their home range from other muskrats using scent markings from their musk glands.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

To successfully capture a muskrat on your trail camera, you need to think like a water-dweller. Look for 'runs' or 'slides'—these are smooth, muddy paths at the water's edge where the muskrat repeatedly enters and exits the water. Placing your camera on a stake or a nearby tree about 6 to 10 inches off the ground is ideal, as muskrats have a very low profile. Angle the camera parallel to the shoreline rather than straight out at the water to maximize the time the animal stays in the frame as it travels the bank.

Muskrats often use 'feeding platforms,' which are flat rocks, logs, or matted clumps of vegetation where they bring their food to eat safely. If you find a pile of chewed-up cattails or empty mussel shells on a half-submerged log, you have found the perfect spot for a camera setup. Because muskrats are active during low-light hours, ensure your camera has a high-quality infrared flash that won't blow out the details of their dark, wet fur at close range.

Video mode is highly recommended for muskrats. Their swimming motion is distinct—a rhythmic, side-to-side undulation of the tail—which is fascinating to watch in high definition. If you are using photo mode, set a 3-shot burst with a minimal trigger delay. Muskrats are surprisingly quick when they feel exposed, and a single photo might only capture a splash or a tail-flip.

During the winter, look for 'push-ups,' which are small mounds of vegetation pushed up through holes in the ice. These serve as breathing holes and resting spots. Placing a camera near a push-up can yield incredible winter footage that most people never see. While they aren't traditionally 'baited,' a few slices of fresh apple or a piece of sweet corn placed on a feeding log can sometimes encourage them to linger long enough for a perfect shot.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Muskrat.

North American River Otter

Longer, more serpentine body with a thick, furred tail and a carnivorous diet.

Browse all Mammals arrow_forward

Frequently Asked Questions

Muskrats are primarily crepuscular, meaning they reach peak activity levels during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk. However, it is not uncommon to see them foraging during the day in areas where they feel safe from predators, or late at night.
If you have a pond or stream, the best way to attract muskrats is by planting native aquatic vegetation like cattails, water lilies, and bulrushes. Providing a 'feeding station' in the form of a flat, partially submerged log can also encourage them to visit consistently.
The Muskrat diet is largely plant-based, consisting of the roots, stems, and leaves of aquatic plants. They are particularly fond of cattails. Occasionally, they supplement this with animal protein such as freshwater mussels, frogs, and small fish.
Yes, muskrats are highly adaptable and are frequently found in suburban drainage basins, golf course ponds, and ornamental lakes, provided there is enough vegetation for food and soft banks for burrowing.
The easiest way is the tail: a muskrat has a thin, scaly tail that is flattened vertically (like a rudder), whereas a beaver has a large, flat, paddle-like tail that is horizontal. Muskrats are also significantly smaller, weighing about 2-4 pounds compared to a beaver's 30-60 pounds.

Record Muskrat at your habitat

Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.

Join free Identify a photo