Muskrats are considered rats in the general sense, in that they are medium-sized rodents with an adaptable lifestyle and an omnivorous diet. They are not, however, so-called "true rats", that is members of the genus Rattus. Muskrats are members of the Muroidea superfamily, along with many other rodents including most mice and rats, and the Cricetidae family which includes hamsters, lemmings, pack rats, and many others.
The muskrat or musquash (Ondatra zibethicus), the only species in genus Ondatra, is a medium-sized semi-aquatic rodent native to North America, and introduced in parts of Europe, Asia, and South America. The muskrat is found in wetlands and is a very successful animal over a wide range of climates and habitats. It plays an important role in nature and is a resource of food and fur for humans, as well as sometimes being a pest.
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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Muskrat".