Muskrat Negative Footprint Replica

Description

Muskrat Negative Footprint Replica measures 3.3 inches. Muskrat Negative Footprint Replica is museum quality polyurethane cast. Made in USA. Our precise footprint can be used as a teaching tool, museum footprint exhibit, home decor footprint, or office decor footprint.

A Muskrat’s small front feet appear to be four-toed, but there is a tiny fifth toe that is hard to see. Their narrow hind feet, about 3 inches long, have five toes and are only partially webbed.

The front feet of the muskrat consist of four clawed toes and a small-nailed thumb. These fore feet are small and quite suitable for the skillful manipulation of plant material and for digging.

Although their large hind feet are used in swimming, they are not webbed like those of the beaver and otter. Instead, the four long toes of each foot are fringed with stiff bristles, partially webbed and are used as oars when swimming, with the tail serving as a rudder.

The footprints appear with four toes in the front and five in the back with visible claws marks. There is often a visible tail mark in between the footprints. Muskrat tracks can be found in mud or sand along shorelines.

Ondatra zibethicus is the scientific name for the Muskrat that lives in Aquatic habitats of Baja California and some areas of US and Canada.

The muskrat or Ondatra zibethicus, the only species in genus Ondatra and tribe Ondatrini, is a medium-sized semiaquatic rodent native to North America and an introduced species in parts of Europe, Asia, and South America.

The muskrat is found in wetlands over a wide range of climates and habitats. Muskrats or Ondatra zibethicus have important effects on the ecology of wetlands, and is a resource of food and fur for humans.

Muskrat or Ondatra zibethicus are covered with short, thick fur, which is medium to dark brown or black in color, with the belly a bit lighter as the age increases, it turns a partly gray in color. The fur has two layers, which help protect them from the cold water.

Muskrat or Ondatra zibethicus have long tails covered with scales rather than hair, and to aid them in swimming, are slightly flattened vertically, which is a shape that is unique to them. When they walk on land, their tails drag on the ground, which makes their tracks easy to recognize.

Muskrat or Ondatra zibethicus spend most of their time in the water and are well suited for their semi-aquatic life. They can swim under water for 12 to 17 minutes.

Muskrat or Ondatra zibethicus are most active at night or near dawn and dusk. They feed on cattail and other aquatic vegetation. They do not store food for the winter, but sometimes eat the insides of their push-ups.

They also eat small animals, such as freshwater mussels, frogs, crayfish, fish, and small turtles. They follow trails they make in swamps and ponds. When the water freezes, Muskrat or Ondatra zibethicus continue to follow their trails under the ice.

Muskrat Facts:

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Cricetidae
Subfamily: Arvicolinae
Tribe: Ondatrini
Genus: Ondatra
Species: O. zibethicus
Binomial name: Ondatra zibethicus
Conservation status: Least concern

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Additional information

Weight	1.5 lbs
Dimensions	3.3 in
World Muskrat Day - March 23rd	World Muskrat Day is celebrated on March 23rd. Muskrat are fascinating creatures that are native to Ontario and are known for their swimming abilities and adaptations for living in wetlands.