Contact Us

Muskrats

Identification
Biology
Inspection
Control
Pro Tips

Identification

  • Muskrats have a stocky appearance with small eyes and very short, rounded ears. Their front feet, which are much smaller than the hind feet, are adapted primarily for digging and feeding. The large hind feet are partially webbed with stiff hairs along the toes, and the flattened tail is almost as long as the body. Most muskrats range from 18 - 24 inches in length, though some larger males will reach a length of 30 inches. Their body weight ranges from 1 1/2 lb. to over 4 lb. A range of colors is seen; generally, muskrats are tan to dark brown or even black, with lighter-colored belly fur.

Biology

  • Breeding period:  February-August; peak April
  • Gestation:  22-30 days
  • Birth period:  March -September, peak period in May
  • Litters per year: 2-3, usually 2
  • Litter size:  1-11
  • Feeding period:  Mostly at night; often during the day
  • Muskrats feed on stems, roots bulbs and foliage of aquatic plants such as cattail, bluejoint grass, needlegrass, waterlily, pondweed and sedge; also clams, snails, mussels, insects, crayfish, fish, frogs and corn.
  • Range

Inspection

  • Requests for muskrat removal typically come in due to muskrat damage at ponds.
  • Talk with customer about the areas they have seen activity such as muskrats swimming, areas of damage or dens.
  • Inspection should start by walking the water’s edge.
  • Signs of muskrats include: vegetation damage, vegetation clippings on bank/in water, banks caving in where current or old borrows exist, visible den entrances in the banks, shallow or deeper runs in the mud under the water, smooth oily appearance to active runs with rock being cleaned or exposed.
  • Feeding beds will include collection/pile of gathered vegetation in the water. 
  • Muskrat dens will appear as a pile of mud and vegetation in water with a large hut like appearance.
Muskrat Burrow
Muskrat Tracks

Control

  • Muskrat problems are normally solved by means of lethal trapping.
  • The most common traps used are colony traps and conibear traps.
  • Occasionally the use of foothold traps with a drowning rig or a hagz bracket can be used. 
Hagz Bracket
Conibear Set

Pro Tips

  • Unexperienced muskrat trappers should contact a supervisor or experienced technician when working on this type of job.
  • Chest/hip waders may be necessary for thorough inspection and the setting of traps. 
  • If possible, attempt to arrive at times muskrats tend to be active to watch the water and area of activity. Again, if the customer tends to see them swimming every day/night at the same time, this is useful information.
Muskrat Hut