What is the name of a rodent with a long tail that resembles a rat? - briefly
The rodent in question is a mouse, a small mammal with a long, hairless tail that closely resembles a rat.
What is the name of a rodent with a long tail that resembles a rat? - in detail
The rodent commonly identified by a slender body, prominent whiskers, and a long, laterally compressed tail that gives it a rat‑like appearance is the muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus). It belongs to the family Cricetidae, subfamily Arvicolinae, and is the sole species of the genus Ondatra.
Physically, the muskrat measures 20–40 cm in head‑body length, with a tail adding another 13–20 cm. The tail is scaly, flat, and covered with sparse hair, providing excellent propulsion in water. Fur is dense, dark brown on the dorsal side and lighter ventrally. The incisors are orange‑yellow, continuously growing as in all rodents.
Habitat preferences include freshwater marshes, ponds, streams, and wetlands where dense vegetation offers cover and food. Muskrats construct dome‑shaped lodges from vegetation or burrow into riverbanks. Their range extends across North America, from Canada to northern Mexico, and introduced populations exist in Europe, Asia, and South America.
Diet consists primarily of aquatic plants—such as cattails, water lilies, and bulrushes—supplemented by roots, tubers, and occasionally small invertebrates. Feeding occurs both on land and underwater, facilitated by their webbed hind feet.
Reproduction follows a seasonal pattern; females breed from March to September, producing 3–7 litters per year. Each litter contains 4–8 altricial young, which are weaned after 3–4 weeks. Sexual maturity is reached at 2–3 months.
Interactions with humans are mixed. Muskrats are valued for their fur in the fur industry, yet they can cause damage to irrigation systems, levees, and cultivated crops through burrowing and vegetation consumption. Management strategies include habitat modification, trapping, and, where necessary, controlled population reduction.
Key characteristics summarised:
- Scientific name: Ondatra zibethicus
- Family: Cricetidae
- Length: 20–40 cm (body) + 13–20 cm (tail)
- Tail: flat, scaly, aids swimming
- Distribution: native to North America; introduced elsewhere
- Habitat: freshwater wetlands, marshes, streams
- Diet: aquatic vegetation, roots, occasional invertebrates
- Reproduction: up to 7 litters per year, 4–8 young per litter
- Human impact: fur source, potential agricultural and infrastructure damage
The muskrat’s combination of a long, rat‑like tail, semi‑aquatic lifestyle, and widespread distribution makes it the species most fitting the description of a rodent resembling a rat with an elongated tail.