1. By: Ashley Miller The Amazing Muskrat

2. Muskrat Muskrats are basically an oversized field mouse that lives in and around water. Their feet act like paddles during swimming. Muskrats have large teeth good for chewing.

3. Enemies The Muskrat has many predators like the raccoon, Red fox, owls, hawks, bald eagles, snapping tuttle, bullfrogs, snakes, largemouth bass, cats, dogs, and people.

4. What does my animal eat? Diet Muskrat is anomnivorethat eats: vegetables,animal food, cattails, sedges, rushes, water lilies, pondweeds, wild rice, pickle weed, clover, willow, acorns, maple, samaras, arrow head, sweet flange, switch grass, mussels, Cray fish, frogs, snails, and fish.

5. Location Muskrats range though the USA. New England and Connecticut. They are also found around the Gulf of Mexico. Muskrats are the most widely viewed mammal’s in the United States.

6. Breeding Muskrats can have up to 10 baby muskrats at a time. It mates in April or May. When the babies are born they are blind and hairless. They are also helpless at the time.

7. Where does it live? Habitat –Muskrat live near pounds, streams, and small lakes. In the water, they live above it and under it. They also like to snuggle in with the cattails. Home –muskrat’s build a lodge out of aquatic plank. They build their house in streams or ponds. There house is 8 feet wide and 5feet tall. Muskrats home look like the beaver’s home. Muskrats build their homes close to shore. They also build feeding platforms.

8. Unique Charactistics The muskrat is the same family as the beaver and other mammals. They store oxygen in their muscles. Muskrat can chew underwater unlike other mammals such as dogs and cats.

9. Adaptations AdaptationHow It helps the Animal Survive Big clawsHe has his big claws to catch pray. Sense of smellHe has his good sense of smell to know were food is. Water proof furHis water proof fur can help him get away from enemies and keep him warm.

10. Here are some Amazing Facts Muskrats can stay under water for 15 minutes. Muskrats are active at night. Muskrats can chew under water. Muskrats use there tails to steer. Muskrats live to be 3 years old.

11. My Resources Google Hinterland who’s who www.fcps.edu/islandcreeks/ecology/Muskrat.htm