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Photo of muskrat tracks next to a measuring tape along with illustrated front and hind tracks and the track pattern of a muskrat.
Muskrat’s front tracks show four slender, widespread toes with long claws. The front feet actually have a fifth rudimentary toe that is too small to show on the tracks, but may leave a claw mark. Hind tracks are bigger than front tracks and clearly show five toes.
Look for the obvious five toes on each foot. Also look for all five of the toes to point forward, nearly parallel to one another. This will help you differentiate raccoon footprints from the wide-splayed toes of the opossum and the rarely imprinted fifth toe of a muskrat. Raccoons move in a diagonal track pattern, just like a deer.
Historically, muskrats have been one of the most commonly trapped animals in Washington. From 1991 to 2000, an annual average of 6,189 muskrats were trapped. This number has been greatly reduced with the passing of Initiative 713 in the year 2000 (See http://wdfw.wa.gov/factshts/i-713.htm).
Tracks. Muskrat tracks are found near water. Although they have five toes on the front feet, the inner toe is so small that it does not usually show up in a track. The tracks of the hind feet will be larger than those of the front feet. There may also be tail drag marks with the tracks. Scat.
Muskrat tracks are preserved in the snow at Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge in Wyoming. Talk about a distinctive track. No ski made that furrow in the snow, especially not one framed by alternating paw prints.
Muskrat tracks can be found in mud or sand along shorelines. The mark of a dragging tail is sometimes apparent. Droppings . Muskrat droppings can be found floating in the water, along shorelines, on objects protruding out of the water, and at feeding sites. The animals may repeatedly use these spots, and more than one muskrat may use the same spot.
The muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) is a common, semi-aquatic rodent native to the United States (Figure 1). It spends its life in aquatic habitats and is well adapted for swimming. Muskrats also cause damage by eating agricultural crops, other vegetation, and crayfish, mussels and other aquaculture products.
Muskrats Tracks. Muskrat tracks are an interesting feature to observe, especially near wetland habitats where these animals are active. The tracks typically show four toes on the front feet and five on the back, with slight webbing visible on the hind feet, which aids in their swimming.
Muskrat tracks. The overall length of adult muskrats is usually from 18 to 24 inches (46 to 61 cm). Large males, however, will sometimes be more than 30 inches (76 cm) long, 10 to 12 inches (25 to 31 cm) of which is the laterally flattened tail.