muskrat

Thân thiện

A muskrat swims in a calm pond with cattails.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A beaver-like aquatic rodent of North America with dark glossy brown fur: A "muskrat" is a medium-sized, semiaquatic rodent native to North America. It has a stocky body, a long, vertically flattened tail, and dense, waterproof fur that is typically dark brown.
   • The brown fur of a muskrat: "Muskrat" also refers to the valuable pelt or fur obtained from this animal, used historically and in some contexts today in the fur trade.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Animal):
  • We saw a muskrat swimming across the pond.
  • Muskrats build dome-shaped houses called lodges from vegetation.
• Noun (Fur):
  • The trapper sold several high-quality muskrat pelts.
  • Her coat was trimmed with muskrat.

Advanced Usage

• Ecological Role: The term is used in biology and ecology to discuss the animal's role in wetland ecosystems.
  • Muskrats are considered a keystone species because their foraging habits help maintain open water areas in marshes.

Variants and Related Words

• Muskratting (n): The activity of trapping muskrats.
  • Muskratting was a common winter activity for settlers.
• Muskrat House (n): The lodge or dwelling built by a muskrat.
  • The marsh was dotted with muskrat houses.

Synonyms

• Rodent: A broad category of mammals that includes muskrats.
• Fur, Pelt: General terms for the skin and hair of an animal, which can be used to refer to muskrat fur.

Related Terms (Contextual)

• Ondatra zibethicus: The scientific name for the muskrat.
• Wetland: The primary habitat for muskrats.

Học thuật

Noun

1. beaver-like aquatic rodent of North America with dark glossy brown fur
2. the brown fur of a muskrat

Từ đồng nghĩa

• musquash
• Ondatra zibethica
• muskrat fur