the muskrat belongs to the undesirable immigrants in Central Europe. its original home is North America. Since its first naturalization of Prague 1905, it spread across Europe and Asia and is fought in most countries. Nevertheless, it is further understood in the spread. Although the fight-methods were refined on and on and the net of the usually state Bisamjäger became ever denser, however, it became a solid component of our fauna. Only in England, it is successful to wipe out the muskrat again completely.
Shape The muskrat is the third-biggest "native" rodent after the beaver and the Nutria neglected also here and there. Approximately wild-rabbit-big, it frequently is confused with the otter in the water of laymen. This circumstance was also the reason that frequently the muskrat later only years, as such after it had settled firmly, was discovered.
The shape of the muskrat resembles that of a young beaver. The fur is reddish-brown and very dense and shiny. No swimming-skins but swimming-bristles are between the toes. The tail is lateral one little compressed and beschuppt. The beaver has a from above downward flattened tail of the shape of a club to this in the contrast. Full-grown muskrats are approximately 35 cm long. The tail becomes over 20 cm long.
Way of life The muskrat is fully at a life in the and adjusted at the water. it is an outstanding swimmer and divers. With hikes, it uses waterways, canals and ditches, however, it goes also bigger routes over country. The muskrats use hollow trees and even dug Erdbaue as shelter. It is built also until "winter-castles" high to 2 m from reed, Binsen, straw and branches.
Reproduction The fast spread of the muskrat in Europe became possible through a huge increase-installment. Normally, boy is tossed three times in the year 7-8. These are sexually mature already in the following year. Muskrats become only approximately 3 years old.
Food The food consists mainly of vegetable materials. It becomes above all water-plants, but also field-fruits consumes. Mussels and snails more rarely are eaten. It is busy only in exceptions that muskrats consumed also fish.
Harms and benefits The damage, that the muskrat evokes, therefore doesn't lie so very much in the food-competition for the human being. Rather it destroys through its Wühltätigkeit dikes, dams and shore-fortifications of the waters and can evoke floods through it. Some flood disaster partially goes on its account.
The muskrats were introduced as fur-animals. Most of the colonies of wild muskrats were established by escaped copies of such farms.
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