When out hiking near a close-by wetland, Birdgirl and I came across this muskrat home. Muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) are common rodents, closely associated with marshes and cattails. Although they will eat crayfish and fish, muskrat diets are primarily made up of cattails and other vegetation. The lodge is constructed by first heaping cattails with mud and other plant matter to form a mound. Then, a burrow is built into the lodge from underwater. The shelter may be connected to a burrow built into the pond bank. For more about muskrats, visit Hinterland Who’s Who.
Muskrats always remind me of the 70s Captain and Tennille hit, Muskrat Love. Maybe Muskrat Susie and Muskrat Sam were close at hand when we visited the marsh. Missed the 70s? Oh dear. You can listen to the song at the Captain and Tennille website. This quirky, unlikely hit was written by Willis Alan Ramsey in 1971.
Muskrat, muskrat candlelight
Doin’ the town and doin’ it right
In the evenin’
It’s pretty pleasin’Muskrat Susie, Muskrat Sam
Do the jitterbug out in muskrat land
And they shimmy
And Sammy’s so skinnyAnd they whirled and they twirled and they tangoed
Singin’ and jingin’ the jango
Floatin’ like the heavens above
It looks like muskrat loveNibbling on bacon, chewin’ on cheese
Sammy says to Susie “Honey, would you please be my missus?”
And she say yes
With her kissesAnd now he’s ticklin’ her fancy
Rubbin’ her toes
Muzzle to muzzle, now anything goes
As they wriggle, and Sue starts to giggleAnd they whirled and they twirled and they tangoed
Singin’ and jingin’ the jango
Floatin’ like the heavens above
It looks like muskrat loveLa da da da da …
Willow House Chronicles 