Definition & Meaning of "muskrat"

What is a "muskrat"?

The muskrat is a medium-sized, semiaquatic rodent native to North America. It is known for its adaptations to living in and around water, with a stocky body, dense fur, and webbed hind feet for swimming. Muskrats have a long, scaly tail that is flattened vertically, which they use for swimming and propelling through the water. They build lodges or burrows in the banks of rivers, lakes, and marshes, and are excellent swimmers, divers, and foragers. Muskrats are herbivorous, feeding on aquatic vegetation, roots, and stems. They are known for their ability to construct complex burrow systems with underwater entrances, which provide them with shelter, protection from predators, and access to food. Muskrats are also known for their reproductive abilities, with females capable of producing multiple litters of young in a single year. They play an important role in wetland ecosystems as ecosystem engineers, shaping and modifying their habitat.