A
large water vole, this rodent is about a
foot long with thick, silky fur and a naked,
eight to 11 inch tail flattened on the side.
The sexes are similar in size and weigh from
2 to 4 pounds. Most muskrats in Arizona are
rusty reddish brown in color; young animals
are darker than the adults, some being nearly
black. Although the muskrat is highly adapted
to an aquatic existence, its hind feet, while
comparatively large, are not webbed like
those of a beaver's.
Muskrats can be found along most of Arizona's perennial rivers and permanent
marshes. Although they forsake most small streams, they can also be found
along dirt-lined canals. Never particularly abundant other than locally
(e.g., Montezuma Well and Peck's Lake off of the Verde River), muskrats
have disappeared from some areas (e.g., the San Pedro River) and invaded
others.
Natural History
Primarily a vegetarian, the muskrat feeds on aquatic grasses, pondweed,
cattail roots, and the leaves of seep willows. Although many muskrats live
in bank burrows, these animals also construct distinctive conical houses
of shredded cattails and other marsh vegetation in quiet waters. These
dens, which may serve as feeding areas, shelter areas, or nursery sites
are all entered through submerged passageways. The nursery dens are the
most elaborate, typically consisting of several chambers some of which
are lined with grass and soft vegetation.
Muskrats in Arizona are reported to breed during every month of the year,
but most of the young are born between March and October. The usual litter
size is five or six.
Hunting and Trapping History
Muskrats were never an important fur animal in Arizona, and the number
trapped has been virtually nil since the late 1980s. Given the low state
of the fur market and the limited distribution of this aquatic mammal,
this status is likely to continue.
A
large water vole, this rodent is about a
foot long with thick, silky fur and a naked,
eight to 11 inch tail flattened on the side.
The sexes are similar in size and weigh from
2 to 4 pounds. Most muskrats in Arizona are
rusty reddish brown in color; young animals
are darker than the adults, some being nearly
black. Although the muskrat is highly adapted
to an aquatic existence, its hind feet, while
comparatively large, are not webbed like
those of a beaver's. 
