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The muskrat is a small lake animal that is found in North America, and some parts of Europe. It lives in a den that resembles a beaver dam, and are made from cutting and piling together cattails, bulrushes, and other water plants. The dens can be up to 8 feet in diameter at its base, and the walls can be 1 to 2 feet. They create tunnels that turn upward from the entrance tunnels (which are usually two), into an chamber inside that has been hollowed out and is just above water level. This is the den they stay in while caring for their young. Smaller dens with thinner walls are used for resting and protection against predators while the muskrats look for food.

The average adult muskrat is about the size of a cottontail rabbit, but the size varies from 16 to 25 inches, and weighs about 1 1/2 to 4 pounds. It has small eyes and ears. It has a tail similar to a rudder, and like a hare, has long hind legs and shorter front legs. The fur is dark-to-light brown, soft, and has a underlayer that is waterproof. It also has a long tail, and resembles a beaver.

The muskrats produce about 2 to 3 litters a year of about 4 to 8 young, although where there is a small population, the litters, and the young tends to be smaller.

Most muskrats are active at night. They eat water plants like cattails, bulrushes, tule, and others. They have also been known to eat mollusks and crayfish, and also frogs and turtles. Their competitors include nutras,  Norway rats, and water voles. Its main predator is the mink in Newfoundland, but other predators include large hawks,  Muskrats are active all year round.