Rat musqué commun                         Green : the Borealie

Ondatra zibethicus                            Red : actual distribution

Order: Rodentia

Family: Cricetidae

Diet: Herbivorous -, feeding principally on aquatic plants, usually cat-tails.

Reproduction: Sexually mature at 1 year-. Mating occurs between April and August. The 6-7 young are born between mid-May and October after a gestation period of 25-30 days, and are weaned after 3-4 weeks.

Longevity: Up to 4 years in the wild and 10 years in captivity.

Predators: Mink, raccoons, river otters, coyotes, pike, snapping turtles and certain birds of prey.

Status: Abundant, not at risk.