Muskrat decline in North America | IUCN | UPSC

• The highest populations of muskrat are in the broad floodplains and deltas of major rivers and in marshy areas dotted with small lakes.
• The muskrat is a species of semiaquatic rodent native to North America and has also been introduced to other continents.

FEATURES :

• Their coats consist of soft, dense underfur and long, coarse, shining guard hairs.
• The guard hairs produce the dominant color of the upper parts.
• Color ranges from a medium silvery brown to dark brown with a lighter belly.
• The feet and tail are dark brown or black.

FOOD :

• Muskrats are basically herbivorous.
• They feed mainly on aquatic plants such as the roots and stems of cattails, lilies, sedges, and grasses.
• They may occasionally eat mussels, shrimp, and small fish.

HYBERNATION :

• Vegetation is collected and stored during the summer for winter use.
• Throughout the winter muskrats remain below the ice for great periods of time eating this stored food and submerged vegetation.

REPRODUCTION :

• Mature females usually have two litters per year and annually give birth to 15 young, or seven to eight per litter.