What is Muskrat?
{{Taxobox | name = Muskrat | status = LR/lc | status_system = iucn2.3 | fossil_range = Recent | image = Ondatra zibethicus FWS.jpg | image_width = 250px | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | classis = [[Mammal]]ia | ordo = [[Rodent]]ia | superfamilia = [[Muroidea]] | familia = [[Cricetidae]] | subfamilia = [[Arvicolinae]] | tribus = '''Ondatrini''' | genus = '''''Ondatra''''' | binomial = ''Ondatra zibethicus'' | binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[1766]]) | range_map = Verbreitungsgebiet Bisamratten.jpg | range_map_width = 250px | range_map_caption = Muskrat range (native range in red, introduced range in green. Introduced range in South America not shown.) }} [[File:Ondatra zibethicus MHNT.ZOO.2010.11.236.4.jpg|thumb|''Ondatra zibethicus'']] '''Muskrats''' are [[rodent]]s that live in [[freshwater]] and [[saltwater]] [[marsh]]es, [[lake]]s, [[pond]]s, and [[stream]]s. Muskrats often build dome-shaped houses in marshes. These [[house]]s, made of plants, protect the muskrat from predators, since the only entrance is underwater. Some muskrats live in burrows on the water banks. Muskrats are excellent swimmers but are slow on land. Muskrats are native to [[North America]], but have been brought to [[Europe]] and [[Asia]], where they now live in the wild. Muskrats got their name because they have musk glands that produce a strong scent. {{-}} {{biology-stub}} [[Category:Rodents]] [[Category:Mammals of North America]]