#0025 · 🦊 mammals

Muskrat

🇳🇱 Muskusrat ·Ondatra zibethicus

LCleast concern 🦊 Mammals 📍 in the Netherlands (introduced)

10 photos from iNaturalist (Creative Commons) · credits & licences

what is it?

The muskrat ( Ondatra zibethicus ), the only species in genus Ondatra and tribe Ondatrini , is a medium-sized semiaquatic rodent native to North America and is an introduced species in parts of Europe, Asia, and South America. The muskrat is found in wetlands over a wide range of climates and habitats. It has important effects on the ecology of wetlands, and is a resource of food and fur for humans.

base stats

NL sightings 53iNaturalist, research grade
worldwide 59,812iNaturalist observations
threat LCleast concern

Bars compare against all animals on log scales: up to 300,000 Dutch and 600,000 worldwide sightings (the most-seen species), 150 t (blue whale), 30 m and 400 years (Greenland shark).

fun facts

Spotted 53 times in the Netherlands on iNaturalist: the #25 most seen of the mammals in NL.
59,812 observations worldwide on iNaturalist.
Scientifically named in 1766 (260 years ago).
Not originally Dutch: it was introduced to the Netherlands.