Saturday, September 13, 2008

Camera Critters: Muskrat




A Muskrat hurries back to the safety of the water carrying a huge bundle of food


Muskrats are hesitant to leave the protection of the water and when they do they make each trip count. This bundle of reeds will be carried into the den for later dining.

I hope you all have enjoyed the muskrat photographs I have been posting. Some of you have commented upon pond owners despising the little critter. Muskrats in a natural habitat create very little problem, but a man-made pond is a totally different matter.

Ponds are created in places where water would not normally pool. The basin is typically sealed with a layer of clay which keeps the water from seeping into the soil. When a muskrat digs its burrow through the clay layer the pond begins to leak. A colony of muskrats can destroy a good size pond in fairly short order.

For more Critter Captures visit our friend Misty by clicking the Critter Captures logo above.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very, very interesting post. What a productive muskrat. ;-)

Paz

Misty DawnS said...

I think this shot is fantastic! It shows nature at work... and it amuses me too!

Norm said...

looks so healthy and smart..so hungry he is...

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Salty: Great capture of the Muskrat. I saw one this week but scared him back into the water.

ratmammy said...

good post! he looks cute, too.

bobbie said...

This is a funny shot. I envy you. I always just miss the muskrats as they scurry away from me.

i beati said...

This is a true candid photo

Anonymous said...

What a great get!

Jane Hards Photography said...

Hard worker captured in action fabulously.

EG CameraGirl said...

This is a fabulous photo! I can't believe the muskrat is carrying such a huge mouthful. It must not want to make too many trips. ;-)

lv2scpbk said...

Cute little critter and one I've never captured with my camera.

bcmomtoo said...

That certainly is a mouth full!

magiceye said...

a superb capture and an equally interesting commentary

Rambling Woods said...

Interesting info Coy... The one here on the pond had pock marks from being shot with a pellet gun.. Good photo too...

HFD60 said...

great image of the muskrat Salty....

Müge Tekil said...

This is the most beautiful photo of this CC Sunday! It would certainly be published in National Geographic Magazine! I'm serious! Have a perfect Sunday!

Brad Myers said...

Another great capture and story. In the few months I have been watching you and your brothers sites I have learned allot about wildlife. Thanks

Louise said...

I have no ponds, manmade or otherwise, so no issues with muskrats. And I love your pictures of them!

Meggie said...

Some of the cutest critters can be so destructive.

Wolf Lover Girl said...

That's a very cool shot!!

~ Wolf Lover Girl