Scientific Name: Ondatra zibethicus
Some confuse this medium-sized semi-aquatic rodent with a beaver, however if one can view these creatures from behind, they will notice a rather long skinny, scale-covered tail, more similar to a rat than a beaver. The muskrat acquired its name from the two scent glands it has near its tail, which give off a musky odor for territory marking purposes. They are often seen feeding on plant materials, but sometimes eat mussels, frogs, fish and small turtles in the waters throughout all three units of Gateway, in both salt and fresh water. In addition to having semi-webbed feet, they can close off their ears to keep water out and can hold their breath for up to 15 minutes. These adaptations allow them to thrive both on land and in the water. Some of their most common predators in the area include snakes, owls, hawks, and snapping turtles.
