muskrats
Wetland-dwelling rodents
Muskrats are large semi-aquatic rodents native to North America, named for the musky odor they produce.
They live in marshes, ponds, and slow-moving waterways, building dome-shaped lodges from vegetation.
Despite the name, muskrats are not rats—they're more closely related to voles.
Their dense, waterproof fur was historically prized for coats and hats.
Gnawing mammal order
- semiaquaticPartially water-living
- wetlandWaterlogged land ecosystem
- marshGrassy waterlogged lowland
- beaverDam-constructing aquatic rodent
pond · burrow · lodge · herbivore · cattails · swamp · stream · riverbank
Fur-bearing animal skin
- trappingCatching with concealed devices
- fur tradeCommercial exchange of animal skins
- coatOuter garment or layer
- Hudson BayLarge Canadian subarctic sea
garment · harvest · tanning · winter coat · fashion · waterproof · dense · underfur
Water-holding barrier
- channelPassage for transmission
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- keystoneArch's central locking stone
- food chainEcological feeding hierarchy
hawk · fox · snapping turtle · water filtration · habitat creation · erosion · invasive · aquatic plants
Hunted animals as food
- LentChristian fasting season
- MichiganNorthern Great Lakes state
- Catholic traditionRome's transmitted faith practices
- stewSlow-simmered meat dish
roasted · Delaware · lean meat · wild harvest · traditional · supper · seasonal · preparation
Digging to create shelter
- leveeRiver flood barrier
- erosionGradual wearing away
- agricultural pestOrganism damaging cultivated plants
- crop damageHarm to cultivated plants
flooding · control · removal · undermining · embankment · dike · irrigation · lawn damage
rodent
Gnawing mammal order
- semiaquaticPartially water-living
- wetlandWaterlogged land ecosystem
- marshGrassy waterlogged lowland
beaver · pond · burrow · lodge · herbivore · cattails · swamp · stream · riverbank · den
pelt
Fur-bearing animal skin
- trappingCatching with concealed devices
- fur tradeCommercial exchange of animal skins
- coatOuter garment or layer
Hudson Bay · garment · harvest · tanning · winter coat · fashion · waterproof · dense · underfur · guard hairs
dam
Water-holding barrier
- channelPassage for transmission
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- keystoneArch's central locking stone
food chain · hawk · fox · snapping turtle · water filtration · habitat creation · erosion · invasive · aquatic plants
wild game
Hunted animals as food
- LentChristian fasting season
- MichiganNorthern Great Lakes state
- Catholic traditionRome's transmitted faith practices
stew · roasted · Delaware · lean meat · wild harvest · traditional · supper · seasonal · preparation · gamey
burrowing
Digging to create shelter
- leveeRiver flood barrier
- erosionGradual wearing away
- agricultural pestOrganism damaging cultivated plants
crop damage · flooding · control · removal · undermining · embankment · dike · irrigation · lawn damage · garden pest
- rodentsmouse, guinea pig, squirrel, mice, beaver
- Cricetidshamster, vole, voles, lemming, lemmings
- wildlifewhite-tailed deer, birds, mammals, elephant, reptiles
- marshesmarsh grass, salt marsh, sedge, cattails, reeds
- pond lifetadpoles, fish, frog, frogs, algae
- pondspond life, pond fish, cattails, lily pads, tadpoles
muskratsprairie dogs
Burrowing plains rodents
groundhogs · woodchucks · ground squirrels · gophers · marmots