A North American aquatic fur-bearing rodent (Ondatra zibethica formerly Fiber zibethicus). It resembles a rat in color and having a long scaly tail, but the tail is compressed, the hind feet are webbed, and the ears are concealed in the fur. It has scent glands which secrete a substance having a strong odor of musk. Called also musquash, musk beaver, ondatra, and sometimes water rat.

Large rodent with flattened scaly tail, water dweller.

the brown fur of a muskrat

beaver-like aquatic rodent of North America with dark glossy brown fur

The largest member of the Mouse family ( Cricetidæ) in the North Country, ( Ondatra zibethicus). Aquatic in habit and active year round. Wajashk in the Ojibwe.

The Muskrat or Musquash (Ondatra zibethicus), the only species in genus Ondatra, is a large aquatic rodent native to North America, and introduced in parts of Europe. Adult body length is usually between 25-40 cm long, with a strong, laterally compressed tail 20-25 cm long. The body is covered in thick, brown waterproof fur; the underparts are paler.