March 24 Muskrats Munchin'

For the past two weeks I've seen a steady increase in muskrat activity along the melting shorelines of lakes Wingra, Waubesa, Mendota, and especially Monona. The large rodents with the long skinny tails (Odantra zibethicus) have taken kindly to chowing on aquatic vegetation on the edge of the melting ice. Today I stopped off to watch this and a friend eat, and when one finished it dove under the ice, collected a few more plants, and returned to the same spot to eat more. It is now mating season for these critters, who have been active all winter, but spending most of it in burrows. The females may have 2-3 litters each year of 6-8 young each. Many of these baby muskrats will provide important calories for eagles, hawks, fox, and coyotes. While not as industrious as their beaver cousins, muskrats have an important niche in wetland and pond food chains in keeping aquatic plant populations in balance.