and the toes have a fringe of stiff hairs all of which helps them when swimming. Their tail is naked, as are most of the animals in the vole family, but the muskrat’s tail is flatted on both ...

Other than swimming through tunnels beneath the ice ... Why do beavers tolerate muskrat freeloaders? It’s possible they recognize that the muskrats’ body heat makes the lodge warmer ...

This winter has been a bit strange in the northland where I reside. Not much snow but enough cold temperatures to start freezing the lakes. The small lakes and ponds freeze up tight right away, ...