Muskrat, commonly known as water rat, is a relatively large rat among mammals. The muskrat weighs about 1 kilogram, and its appearance is similar to that of an ordinary mouse. However, its head is not as pointed as that of an ordinary mouse, but rather flat. Its eyes and ears are

Muskrat , commonly known as water mouse , is a relatively large rat among mammals. The muskrat weighs about 1 kilogram, and its appearance is similar to that of an ordinary mouse. However, its head is not as pointed as that of an ordinary mouse, but rather flat. Its eyes and ears are small, and it has a pair of ears that are as large as a beggar insect. They are both long and flat on the sides. The tail has small, round scales. The most special thing is that muskrats have webs between their back toes similar to ducks, so they are very good at swimming and diving.

Muskrats usually like to move in the water and can generally live in lakes and swamps. They eat aquatic plants in the water, such as wild wild rice , reeds, etc., and occasionally eat some small fish, shrimps, field snails , etc. Its caves are usually built on the shore, but the entrances and exits are often under water or in hidden places overgrown with weeds near the water surface. Sometimes there are holes on the shore. The cave is long and complex, and the nest is lined with hay. Because muskrats build burrows along the shore, they can also damage dikes.

Muskrats are very fertile and can give birth to 2 to 4 babies a year, with 6 to 9 babies in each litter. A little muskrat can live independently more than a month after birth, and will grow into a rat in half a year.

Muskrat has long shiny brown hair all over its body. Its winter fur is soft and rich. Therefore, it can be made into various high-quality leather coats and hats, which are very popular among people. Muskrat meat can also be eaten, and it is sold as canned meat abroad. There are a pair of glands in the muskrat's body that secrete perfume. The scent is strong and difficult to dissipate. It is a precious raw material for making high-end perfumes.

Muskrat is almost a "treasure" and has high economic value, so people call it "soft gold". There are many countries in the world that spread muskrat in large quantities and produce a lot of high-quality and beautiful muskrat skins . After the liberation of our country, , have begun to breed muskrats in various swamps in the north, and they are growing very well, and can already provide a large amount of fur for the country.