Any aspect of lactation in the muskrat

The discrimination of milk from mammary glands in the process of feeding their juvenility is characteristic of all mammals. The muskrat, an amphibious gnawer that is mostly aquatic is no different (Colby 1967).Its name is derived from scent glands otherwise known as musk inside their bodies. This scent is vital in their communication while mating or defending their territory. Muskrats mass be found in pee bodies such as rivers, lakes, ponds or marshes with at least not slight than 4 feet and not exceeding 6 feet. Marshes argon however the most suitable habitat for muskrats.Descriptive FactsOn bonny a muskrat has a length of to the highest degree 2 feet and weighing close to 3 pounds. Its look ar small and the ears hidden in the fur (Cyril 1984). Its lips be fleshy and furred such that it can gnaw with its incisors while underwater without water sipping in its mouth. Its short legs and small forefeet ensure that it grabs objects.The grip is raise enhanced by a large hind fe et with strongly clawed toes (Banfield, 1974). The muskrat can be easily tracked by its tail which accompanies the track made by the foot. Its color can be black, grey, white or albino though the commonest is the mahogany color with tawny or grey under parts. The Cree Indians referred to this savage as Musquash due to a pungent smell noticeable in the mating anneal (Colby, 1967).Way of lifeMuskrats are mainly nocturnal and since most of their time is spent in water these little creatures are excellent swimmers. On average a muskrat can spend up to fifteen transactions under water. They use their tail and hind feet as propellers and rudder respectively. Due to the waterproof fur, muskrats can remain submersed for about 3 minutes. The underbelly fur adjusts easily to the seasons. In the warm seasons it is pale and becomes darker as the chilliness season approaches.Just like most mammals muskrats live in family units and are aggressive in defending their nucleotide territory. Nor mally, the home environment is approximately 65 yards. The area population densities vary from 3 to 4 animals per acre to about 35 per acre.The muskrats face the threats of a number of predators both inside the water and on land. The most sombre and notable predator is the mink. During the spring these predators are notorious since the muskrats are on the move whereas the young are confined in the dens. Other predators include the snapping turtle, foxes, wolves, black bear and some birds that kill the muskrats when out in the open marshes.Muskrats live in good plastered mud houses constructed on bulrushes. The houses are either built on a stump or on a log. The location is normally close to hidden water, about 4 feet above water level or at the edge of a vegetation cover.The area should not be one that faces drastic water level changes though the year. This is to ensure that the young are offered with enough protection for the muskrats since they face threats from the predators. However, in most cases the homes are usually destroyed in spring as a result of flooding.The Muskrats DietThe muskrat has two kinds of diet that are favored either during summer or winter. To a greater extend muskrats are herbivores but in case of scarcity they do predate on other animals. In the summer season on that point is plenty of food, mostly emergent vegetation such as water lily, bulrush and arrowhead (Barker, 1987).This diet is well balanced with animal matter which include small turtles, frogs, catfish and salamanders. The winter food is usually hold in since much food is not stored in summer. The submerged vegetation that wholly meets the diet of the muskrats comprises water weed, water lily tuber, and pondweeds.