Muskrat

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/muskrat

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Ondatra zibethicus
2. What is the lifespan?Average 1-3 years in the wild; up to 10 years in captivity
3. What does a muskrat look like?A muskrat is a medium‑sized rodent with very dense, waterproof fur. It has large, partly webbed hind feet and a flat, scaly tail that helps it steer in water. Its ears and nostrils can close when it swims.
4. Why do muskrats have a musky smell?Muskrats have special scent glands near their rear that produce a musky odor. This smell helps them mark their territory and communicate with other muskrats.

Perineal Glands: Glands located near the anus that produce a strong-smelling musk used for territorial marking.
Altricial Young: Offspring that are born in an immature, helpless condition, requiring significant parental care.
Keystone Species: A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance.