Muskrats are often mistaken for small Beavers. That makes sense because they look very similar. They are found in the same places and do the same things, though Beavers are the more popular rodent because they somehow seem more cuddly and cute. After all, ‘Muskrat’ has the word ‘rat’ in its name.

Muskrats are much larger than Brown Rats, much smaller than Beavers; they range from 1-1/2 feet to a little over 2 feet long. About half a Muskrat’s length is made up of its long, flat tail, which is covered with scales instead of fur like the rest of the animal. Muskrat tracks are easy to identify because its tail drags on the ground when it walks, leaving a slightly wavy line between the footprints.