Common Muskrat

Ondatra zibethicus

General Status Rank: 
Secure
ELCODE: 
AMAFF15010
Common Name: 
Common Muskrat
Scientific Name: 
Ondatra zibethicus
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Rodentia
Family: 
Cricetidae
References: 
B001
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

12 months
References: 
B112

Longevity

3 years
References: 
B001

Economic/Human Considerations

Important fur bearers and food source to important fur bearers.
References: 
B001
Habitat
Lakes, rivers, ponds, sloughs, and marshes about 4 to 6 feet deep.
References: 
B001
H116
H137
Distribution

Ecozones

Southern Arctic, Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Boreal Cordillera, Boreal Plains
References: 
B113

Distribution

57% of the NWT.
Score: 
G = 2
References: 
B113

Number of Occurrences

Score: 
E = >

Area of Occupancy

Stable?
Score: 
-
References: 
B001
H137
Population

Population Size

Annual harvest data: 1996 = 22,309 - so, millions?
Score: 
G = 1
References: 
R120

Density

3 per acre of pond to 25 per acre of marsh (B001); data for North to be added.
Trends

Trends

10 year fluctuations in north (shorter in south); not seen in large numbers like in the past in the Sahtu area.
References: 
B001
H137
Threats

Threats

Changing water levels (H116), predation, abnormal climate (floods, droughts) (B112); pike predation, warmer temperature, and habitat changes (H137).
Score: 
C = M
References: 
B001
B112
H116
H137

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Dams, water levels, forestry, water pollution.
Score: 
-
References: 
B001
B112
H116
H137
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Secure
Status Rank Description: 
But some regional (Sahtu) evidence of lower population levels in 2000 from local knowledge.
S Rank: 
S5
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted by committee with additional notes and comments from the Sahtu Renewable Resources Board in 2000. Reviewed in 2004, no changes in status. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2020, no change.
Last Updated: 
February 16, 2024

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return

Area of Occupancy

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Sahtu Renewable Resources Board @ Ben Olsen, Biologist (2000) Letter to RWED - dated 30 May 2000. Sahtu Renewable Resources Board Copy in database reference file - H137 Return

Economic Status

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Ecozones

  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return

Habitat

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Mammals Committee: Ron Graf, Ray Case, Robert Mulders, Suzanne Carrière, Alisdair Veitch, Richard Popko, John Nagy, Jen Lange (1999) Personal Communication. RWED, GNWT - H116 Return
  • Sahtu Renewable Resources Board @ Ben Olsen, Biologist (2000) Letter to RWED - dated 30 May 2000. Sahtu Renewable Resources Board Copy in database reference file - H137 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return
  • Mammals Committee: Ron Graf, Ray Case, Robert Mulders, Suzanne Carrière, Alisdair Veitch, Richard Popko, John Nagy, Jen Lange (1999) Personal Communication. RWED, GNWT - H116 Return
  • Sahtu Renewable Resources Board @ Ben Olsen, Biologist (2000) Letter to RWED - dated 30 May 2000. Sahtu Renewable Resources Board Copy in database reference file - H137 Return

Longevity

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Population Size

Corporate Services, NWT Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (1999) Game Licencing System: Individual Trapping Summary. summary in excel file generated by Guy Erasmus (S:\Guy\Furstats by species 1957 - 1997) - R120 Return

Range Extent

  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Sahtu Renewable Resources Board @ Ben Olsen, Biologist (2000) Letter to RWED - dated 30 May 2000. Sahtu Renewable Resources Board Copy in database reference file - H137 Return

Taxonomy

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Threats

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return
  • Mammals Committee: Ron Graf, Ray Case, Robert Mulders, Suzanne Carrière, Alisdair Veitch, Richard Popko, John Nagy, Jen Lange (1999) Personal Communication. RWED, GNWT - H116 Return
  • Sahtu Renewable Resources Board @ Ben Olsen, Biologist (2000) Letter to RWED - dated 30 May 2000. Sahtu Renewable Resources Board Copy in database reference file - H137 Return