1. The Rodents ORDER RODENTIA

2. Teeth Incisors Diastema Molars Malocclusion

3. Nocturnal Whiskers Prolific breeders Pests Food source Porcupette 1/year

4. History  Vermin control $  Diseases  Bubonic plague  Typhus  Hanta fever  Scientific research  Food  Fur trade items  Allegheny Wood Rat –  endangered species of rodent in PA

5. and Muskrats PARTNER SPECIES S

7. Mink (Mustela vison) Mustelidae family Semi-aquatic Hearing Sight Smell

8. Predator - opportunistic feeder Muskrats Mice Rabbits Shrews Fish Frogs Crayfish Insects Snakes Waterfowl Birds Eggs Domestic poultry

9. Dens Woodchuck tunnels Hollow logs Vacant muskrat lodges Stone piles Large tree roots Near water More than one entrance

10. Young Delayed implantation 2-7 young 3 ½” long blind, hairless 2 weeks, furred 5 weeks eyes open 6-7 weeks forage & learn to hunt w/ mom

11. Muskrats (Ondatra zibethica) Musk Rodent #1 Furbearer in USA Nicknames Marsh hare Musk beaver

12. Body Characteristics Rudder, propulsion, prop Webbed hind feet Forefeet agile, small, claws Underfur and guard hairs for insulation Weigh about 3 pounds Excellent swimmers Hold breath 15 minutes Special lips

13. Diet - herbivores aquatic plants legumes,’ grasses, grains, garden crops animal protein crayfish mussels fish frogs carrion muskrat carcasses

14. Lodges 8-10 feet across 2-3feethigh2-3feethigh Marshland channels Habitat change Keystone species Underwater entrance Rooms above water level Several rooms/tunnels Air vent central room

15. Young  Large litters  Stable population  Up to 4 litters/year  Musk trails 5-8 Blind Furless Weaned & fully furred 1 month

16. Predators  #1 Predator – Mink  Foxes  Great-horned owl  Hawks  Snapping turtles