Muskrat Life Cycle

Muskrats are aquatic mammals that closely resemble beavers but have a long, rat-like tails and webbed feet. They are found throughout most of North America, and are often considered pests because of the damage their burrows cause to ponds and reservoirs. As is the case with most small mammals, muskrats have a short lifespan of about three to five years.

Gestation

The muskrat has a relatively short gestation period of 25 to 30 days, and an average female muskrat produces two or three litters of about six young each year. If conditions are favorable, up to six litters of as many as 15 young may be produced in a single year.

Infancy

Muskrats are born blind and almost hairless, but grow rapidly. They are cared for almost entirely by their mother until they wean and become independent at about eight weeks old.

Adolescence

Independent muskrats that are not yet sexually mature spend the majority of their time seeking food, burrowing and building "houses" from mud and sticks. These dens will eventually be used to raise their young.

Adulthood

Muskrats are fully grown and sexually mature at about six months of age. They begin to seek out mates at this time, and most remain with the same mate throughout their short lives.

Reproduction

Like beavers, muskrats can remain underwater for up to 15 minutes at a time, and mate while submerged below their den. The male and female muskrat remain together during the female's pregnancy.

References

• USDA Fish and Wildlife Service: Muskrats
• Alaska Department of Fish and Game: Muskrats