Muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus)

Statistics

• Description: Stocky rodent 18-24" (depends on sex) with a lateral flattened tail (as long as body)
• Habitat: Aquatic
• Diet: Omnivores (but primarily Herbivores)
• Breeding Season: February to October
• Breeding: 2-3 liters per year; 5-7 young per liter
• Lifespan: 3-4 years

Plant types that muskrats eat
The most common plant materials muskrats eat are cattails, cordgrass, needlegrass, thatchgrass, eelgrass, panicgrass,
wild calla, and spikerush.

Muskrats destroying yards
There are no repellants for muskrats at this time. Remove the aquatic food source or hire a professional trapper (Pest Control
in the Yellow Pages). Once the muskrats are gone fill in the burrow with rocks, cover with soil and plant grass seed.

Shooting Muskrats
It is illegal to shoot any species within the City of Hampton unless you have property over 5 acres and obtained a permit
from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.