are muskrats like beavers
They are distinguishable from beavers by their smaller size and the characteristics of the tail and feet. Muskrats have a tail that is flattened vertically (the opposite of the beaver) and is longer and more rat-like. Their feet have skin folds between the toes but not the extensive webbing that beavers have.Muskrats are not as damaging as beavers because they do not block pipes and outfalls with sticks and mud.hey have sharp, predatory teeth. Otters are more vocal than beavers and muskrats, letting out the occasional yelp or bark. Otters also can be identified by the evidence they leave behind. Otters tend to enter and leave ponds in the same place, which over time creates a worn area known as an otter slide. The muskrat is the largest species in the subfamily Arvicolinae, which includes 142 other species of rodents, mostly voles and lemmings. Muskrats are referred to as  rats  in a general sense because they are medium-sized rodents with an adaptable lifestyle and an omnivorous diet.uskrats spend much of their time in the water and are well suited for their semiaquatic life. They can swim under water for 12 to 17 minutes. Their bodies, like those of seals and whales, are less sensitive to the buildup of carbon dioxide than those of most other mammals. Beavers, Muskrats, and Otters are aquatic mammals whose ranges cover most or all of South Carolina, so there is potential for almost any pond in the state to harbor these fur-bearing animals. Although interesting to watch, these animals can be problematic when they move into stormwater ponds.hey have sharp, predatory teeth. Otters are more vocal than beavers and muskrats, letting out the occasional yelp or bark. Otters also can be identified by the evidence they leave behind. Otters tend to enter and leave ponds in the same place, which over time creates a worn area known as an otter slide. Muskrats are mostly nocturnal (active at night) and stay close to their lodges or burrows. The muskrat can look like a beaver with brown fur and partially webbed-hind feet, but look for its long (8-10 inch), narrow, flattened, hairless, rat-like tail.Muskrats are also about half the size of a beaver, measuring 18-25 inches long.f there are too many muskrats in an area, they can eat out all the plants. They also like clams, crayfish, frogs, rough fish and carrion (dead animals) when they can be found. Near farmland, muskrats may eat corn or other crops if aquatic plants are not available. The muskrat tail actually has some flatness, but vertical like a boat rudder. Muskrats do not cut down trees. Muskrats and beaver are the only mammals that build their home in the water, but the muskrat lodge is smaller.They often dig dens into the bank; again the muskrat opening is smaller. Muskrats do not store food for the winter as beaver do and a harsh winter can greatly decrease a muskrat population.Muskrats are more prolific breeders capable of multiple litters in one season whereas beavers have one litter annually.uskrats do not store food for the winter as beaver do and a harsh winter can greatly decrease a muskrat population. Muskrats are more prolific breeders capable of multiple litters in one season whereas beavers have one litter annually. Muskrats and beavers are the only mammals that build homes in the water. However, muskrats are half the sizeof beavers and sport a long (8-10 in.) narrow, flattened, hairless, rat-like tail. Unlike the beaver, the muskratdoes not store food for the winter. It needs to eat fresh plants each day.uskrats and beavers are the only mammals that build homes in the water. However, muskrats are half the sizeof beavers and sport a long (8-10 in.) narrow, flattened, hairless, rat-like tail. Unlike the beaver, the muskratdoes not store food for the winter. It needs to eat fresh plants each day. Muskrats are large rodents that always live near water. They have thick brown fur and a long, furless, scaly tail. They can grow up to two feet long (with tail). Their rear feet are webbed for swimming, and their eyes and ears are very small. Muskrats live in marshes, or alongside ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams.Muskrats build a house, called a lodge, out of aquatic plants, especially cattails. It can be up to eight feet across and five feet high. A muskrat lodge looks a lot like a Beaver lodge.Muskrats also burrow holes in stream or pond banks. At least one entrance hole will always be above the water line.uskrats are large rodents that always live near water. They have thick brown fur and a long, furless, scaly tail. They can grow up to two feet long (with tail). Their rear feet are webbed for swimming, and their eyes and ears are very small. Muskrats live in marshes, or alongside ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams. Beaver tails are wide, flat and paddle-shaped, while muskrats have long, skinny tails with flat sides. You can usually see a muskrat’s whole body when it is swimming. With beavers, you often see only their large wedge-shaped heads.eaver tails are wide, flat and paddle-shaped, while muskrats have long, skinny tails with flat sides. You can usually see a muskrat’s whole body when it is swimming. With beavers, you often see only their large wedge-shaped heads. Again, unlike a rat, the muskrat makes its presence known. Like the beaver, it can den in a lodge in the middle or along the shore of ponds, shimmering in the damp. These lodges, also called push-ups or mounds, are not as grand as beaver lodges.The muskrat does not haul in logs and slap on mud.he rest of the year they seem to prefer beaver lodges or boat houses along the river, and burrows into the banks of ponds. (There's a little muskrat poop outside the burrow above.) Like all rodents, muskrats are adept at tunneling into the earth. Muskrats are much smaller than beavers, measuring 18-25 inches long (including the tail) and weighing between 2-4 pounds. The head is broad and blunt with short ears barely visible above the fur. The muskrat s coat is practically waterproof and is soft, dense, and grayish brown in color.uskrats are much smaller than beavers, measuring 18-25 inches long (including the tail) and weighing between 2-4 pounds. The head is broad and blunt with short ears barely visible above the fur. The muskrat s coat is practically waterproof and is soft, dense, and grayish brown in color.
No