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Beavers and muskrats look strikingly similar and are easily confused due to their thick and fluffy brown bodies and love of water. But how similar are they? They are both rodents, so what’s the difference? In fact, these are two completely different types, and each is unique in its own way.
For starters, the size difference is huge and they have completely different tails. In addition, one builds dams and the other does not, and one is extremely important to the ecosystem. But that’s not all, as we will delve into all their differences and find out exactly how to spot the differences in the identification of muskrats and beavers!
Comparison of muskrat and beaver
Muskrat and beaver are often confused with each other, especially since they are both rodents. However, there are several reasons why they differ, although some are easier to spot than others.
Check out the table below for a few key differences.
| Muskrat | Beaver | |
| The size | 1.3 to 4.4 pounds | 24 to 66 lbs |
| Habitat | Swamps, marshes and wetlands | Ponds, streams, lakes and rivers |
| Variety | One one kind | North American beaver Eurasian beaver |
| Tail | Long and thin (half the body length) | Wide, flat and scaly (scapular) |
| Diet | Omnivore | Herbivore |
| Number of litters | Up to 4 litters per year | Only 1 litter per year |
| Life span | 3-4 years old | 10 to 15 years old |
6 main differences between muskrat and beaver
Muskrat vs. Beaver: Habitat
Muskrat and beaver are semi-aquatic animals and must be near water to survive, but their habitats are slightly different. Muskrats prefer swamps, marshes and wetlands and live in burrows near the water. They are native to Canada, the United States and northern Mexico and are invasive in Europe.
Beavers prefer freshwater ponds, streams, lakes and rivers and build dams on bodies of water. They then build their home, known as the lodge, from twigs, grass and mud inside the dam they created. North American beavers are widespread in Canada, North America, and northern Mexico. They were brought to Finland and then spread throughout Russia. Eurasian beavers are widespread throughout Europe and have been reintroduced to the UK.
Muskrat vs. Beaver: Building a Dam
Unlike muskrats, only beavers build dams on water bodies. They are workaholics and spend most of their time either building or repairing dams. Beavers build dams to deepen the watercourse in order to have more protection from predators such as foxes, coyotes, bears and wolves. They build their dams by gnawing through trees with their incredibly strong and sharp incisors, and then using branches to build the dam. Beaver’s incisors are orange in color due to the presence of iron compounds that make their teeth so strong. Muskrats cannot build dams because they simply do not have strong enough teeth.
Muskrat vs Beaver: Size
One of the main differences between muskrats and beavers is their size, as beavers are much larger and heavier. Beavers can weigh up to 66 pounds and have a maximum length of about 40 inches. Muskrats weigh only about 4 pounds and reach 28 inches, with half of that length being their tail.
Muskrat vs. Beaver: Tail
One of the easiest ways to tell a muskrat from a beaver is to look at their tails. Beavers have a very wide and flat tail, shaped like an oar and covered with scales. They often use their tail as a rudder when swimming and store fat in it in winter. The muskrats have a very long and thin tail, more like the tail of a traditional rodent.
Muskrat vs Beaver: Diet
Muskrats are omnivorous and feed on aquatic plants such as cattail, water lilies, reeds and algae. They also eat small fish, frogs, snails, shellfish and mussels. Beavers are strictly herbivores and only eat aquatic plants, bark, leaves and twigs.
Muskrat vs. Beaver: Appearance When Swimming
Both beavers and muskrats are excellent swimmers and can often be seen in the water. However, there is a big difference in how they look when they are swimming. When beavers swim, only their head is visible, and when muskrats are in the water, their entire body is visible.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Muskrat and beavers – rodents?
Yes, they are both rodents. Beavers and the second largest rodent after capybaras, as well as beavers of North America and Eurasia, are the only representatives of this species. Castoridae a family. However, muskrats are members Cricetidae family, which is the second largest family of mammals and includes rats, mice, voles and lemmings.
Are muskrats rats?
No, although they are rodents and belong to the same family group as rats, muskrats are not actually rats. They are often mistaken for rats because of their similarity in appearance and because of their name.
Are beavers and muskrats territorial?
Beavers are not territorial and live peacefully with other members of their group. However, muskrats are territorial and often become extremely aggressive towards other members of their group.
Do muskrats and beavers have webbed feet?
Beavers have digitized front legs and fully webbed hind legs, while muskrats do not. Their front legs are not webbed at all, and their hind legs are only partially webbed.
Do beavers produce water-repellent oil?
Yes, beavers produce a water-repellent oil called castoreum, which they use to keep their fur waterproof. They have a split claw called a grooming claw, which they use to regularly trim the castoreum into their fur. Muskrats have a two-layer coat, which consists of a thick layer of fur underneath to keep them warm, and a layer of long guard hairs at the crown, which is waterproof.
Why are beavers so important?
Beavers are considered extremely important animals as they change the course of watercourses and create new wetlands that benefit other animals such as otters, water voles, newts, fish and many more.
Do muskrats smell?
Yes, as the name suggests, muskrats produce a musky smell with their scent glands. They emit this smell to mark their territory.
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