Science Comes to Friday Music

A year ago yesterday Daryl Dragon passed away at the age of 76.  Trained as a classical pianist Dragon is best remembered as the other half of a 70’s pop sensation performing as Captain and Tennille.  Dragon was married to Toni Tennille.  One of their hits has a syrupy concoction called Muskrat Love. 

Meet Ondatra zibethicus – The Muskrat – aptly named as a consequence of its long naked tail and musky odor (quite noticeable in the male during the breeding season).   The muskrat is ideally-suited to living in a watery environment and sports a waterproof fur coat, webbed feet and a tail that can be used like a rudder.   This chunky rodent can stay submerged for up to fifteen minutes before having to surface for air.   

For a number of years muskrats have been making their home in the large pond out back between the house and Silver Creek.  Not all muskrats build lodges – with some choosing to dig a burrow in a stream bank or lake shore.  Our rats appear to be builders as opposed to diggers and this is their lodge constructed of mud and cut vegetation. 

This particular home is the largest one we’ve seen so far.  The roof is approximately 30 inches above the surface of the ice. 

Muskrat lodges have one to two underwater entrances and may have a second chamber for different occupants.  They’re fastidious about their den and will not use it as a bathroom.  The muskrat does not hibernate and is active year-round.  They can live up to ten years of age in the wild. 

Breeding begins in April and ends with the return of fall weather.  Around half a dozen young are born two to three times a year and the little ones can swim at two weeks of age.            

Unlike the beaver - who occupies only one lodge per lake or stream - the muskrat may build multiple abodes.  Here is a smaller lodge that we’re going to keep an eye on.  We’re not sure if it is under construction or was started and abandoned.

click on images for a closer look

Overcrowding will cause the critter to disperse and to find a new home.          

Getting back to the breeding behavior of the muskrat and what happens in that lodge there is this. 

And you are welcome for the earworm....