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What the sources say

MuskratOndatra zibethicus

Every figure, record and mechanism on the Muskrat profile was written from a source, and this is the working table behind it: 49 claims checked word for word against these sources. The left column is what the page says. The right column is the source's own words, copied, not paraphrased; a ... marks a cut and[brackets] an insertion. Open any source and check it yourself.

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Source
01

Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan

Ondatra zibethicus. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan.

The page saysA marsh rodent that builds its home from piled-up plants
The source saysThe nests of the muskrats are formed by piles of vegetation placed on top of a good base, for example a tree stump, generally in 15 to 40 inches of waterNote: tagline; quote hedges only the water depth (generally), not the nest
The page sayseats about a third of its own weight every day
The source saysMuskrats consume about one-third of their weight every day.Note: tagline
The page saysSwamps, marshes and wetlands from northern North America to the Gulf coast and the Mexican border
The source saysThe muskrat is found in swamps, marshes, and wetlands from northern North America to the Gulf coast and the Mexican border.Note: stats.habitat
The page saysintroduced to northern Eurasia
The source saysEarly in the 20th century, muskrats were introduced to northern EurasiaNote: stats.habitat
The page saysMainly plants, such as the roots of aquatic plants in summer, with some animal food
The source saysMuskrats are mainly vegetarians but will eat animals as well.Note: stats.diet
The page saysthe roots of aquatic plants in summer
The source saysIn the summer they eat the roots of aquatic plants.Note: stats.diet
The page saysDense fur that traps air for insulation and buoyancy
The source saysMuskrats have dense fur that traps air underneath for insulation and buoyancy.Note: stats.superpower
The page sayslives in marshes, ponds and lakes
The source saysWhile muskrats are found in ponds, lakes, and swamps, their favorite locations are marshes
The page saysit keeps its feet and tail cooler than its body core.
The source saysregional heterothermia, which regulates the flow of blood to the feet and tail, allowing these structures to be cooler than the body core
The page saysthe muskrat regulates the flow of blood to its feet and tail.
The source saysregional heterothermia, which regulates the flow of blood to the feet and tail
The page saysIts dense fur traps air underneath for insulation and buoyancy.
The source saysMuskrats have dense fur that traps air underneath for insulation and buoyancy.
The page saysIts ears are almost invisible under the fur, and its back feet are slightly webbed for swimming.
The source saystheir ears are almost invisible underneath the fur ... the back feet are slightly webbed for swimming
The page saysThe flat, scaly tail is nine and a half inches long.
The source saysThe tail is flat and scaly and is nine and a half inches in length.Note: nine and a half inches = 9.5
The page saysMuskrats weigh 680 to 1,800 grams, and the average is 1,135.8 grams.
The source saysRange mass 680.0 to 1800.0 g ... Average mass 1135.8 g
The page saysLength runs from 410 to 620 millimeters (16.14 to 24.41 inches).
The source saysRange length 410.0 to 620.0 mm 16.14 to 24.41 in
The page saysMuskrats are mainly vegetarians, though they eat animals as well.
The source saysMuskrats are mainly vegetarians but will eat animals as well.
The page saysEach day they eat about one-third of their weight.
The source saysMuskrats consume about one-third of their weight every day.
The page saysIn summer they eat the roots of aquatic plants.
The source saysIn the summer they eat the roots of aquatic plants.
The page saysIn winter they swim under the surface ice to reach plants.
The source saysIn the winter, they swim under the surface ice to get to the plants.
The page saysThey shelter in bank burrows, which are tunnels dug into a bank, or in nests made from piles of vegetation.
The source saysThey find shelter in bank burrows and their distinctive nests. Bank burrows are tunnels excavated in a bank. The nests of the muskrats are formed by piles of vegetation
The page saysA nest sits on a base such as a tree stump, usually in 15 to 40 inches of water.
The source saysThe nests of the muskrats are formed by piles of vegetation placed on top of a good base, for example a tree stump, generally in 15 to 40 inches of water
The page saysmuskrats also use musk to warn intruders.
The source saysMuskrats communicate by musk, which also is used as a warning for intruders.
The page saysMuskrats are native to swamps, marshes and wetlands from northern North America to the Gulf coast and the Mexican border.
The source saysThe muskrat is found in swamps, marshes, and wetlands from northern North America to the Gulf coast and the Mexican border.
The page saysEarly in the 20th century they were introduced to northern Eurasia.
The source saysEarly in the 20th century, muskrats were introduced to northern Eurasia
The page saysminks, raccoons, river otters, coyotes, owls and alligators are among its known predators.
The source saysAmerican minks ( Mustela vison ) raccoons ( Procyon lotor ) Northern river otters ( Lontra canadensis ) coyotes ( Canis latrans ) barn owls ( Tyto alba ) barred owls ( Strix varia ) northern harriers ( Circus cyaneus ) American alligators ( Alligator mississippiensis )Note: Known Predators list; text wraps one name per line
The page saysA muskrat can escape many of them by slipping into the water or its burrow.
The source saysMuskrats are excellent swimmers and can evade many predators by escaping into water or into their burrows and nests.
The page saysA newborn weighs around 22 grams.
The source saysWhen born, the muskrat has short dark fur, closed eyes, and weighs around 22 grams.Note: FAQ 1
The page saysIt can swim at 10 days old, eats green vegetation by 21 days and becomes independent at 30 days.
The source saysThey are able to swim at 10 days and by 21 days can eat green vegetation. In 30 days muskrats gain their independenceNote: FAQ 1
The page saysIt reaches adult size in about 200 days.
The source sayswill reach adult size in 200 daysNote: FAQ 1
The page saysIt belongs to the order Rodentia and the family Cricetidae, which Animal Diversity Web describes as the New World rats and mice, voles, hamsters and relatives.
The source saysOrder Rodentia rodents Family Cricetidae New World rats and mice, voles, hamsters, and relativesNote: FAQ 2
The page saysCold feet on purpose
The source saysallowing these structures to be cooler than the body coreNote: heading
The page saysA third of its weight, every day
The source saysMuskrats consume about one-third of their weight every day.Note: heading
The page saysFrom marshes to Eurasia
The source saysEarly in the 20th century, muskrats were introduced to northern EurasiaNote: heading

Source
02

AnAge: The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database, Build 15, Human Ageing Genomic Resources

AnAge entry for Ondatra zibethicus. AnAge: The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database, Build 15, Human Ageing Genomic Resources.

The page saysThe muskrat, Ondatra zibethicus, is a rodent
The source saysOrder : RodentiaNote: AnAge classification
The page saysIn the wild a muskrat lives about 3 years.
The source saysIn the wild, these animals live about 3 years.
The page saysUp to 10 years in captivity has been suggested, but that is not confirmed, and one captive muskrat lived 5.8 years.
The source saysIt has been suggested that they live up to 10 years in captivity [ 0434 ]. While this is plausible, it has not been confirmed. One specimen lived 5.8 years in captivity
The page saysweightKg: 1.36
The source saysAdult weight 1,362 g

Source
03

McCulloch, Faber & Panneton 1999

McCulloch, Faber & Panneton (1999). Electrical stimulation of the anterior ethmoidal nerve produces the diving response. Brain Research.

The page saysdropped its heart rate from about 264 to 121 beats per minute
The source saysHeart rate (HR) significantly decreased from 264+/-18 to 121+/-8 bpm
The page sayselectrically stimulating the nerve that serves the lining of a muskrat's nose
The source saysThe purpose of this research was to investigate the anterior ethmoidal nerve (AEN) that innervates the nasal mucosa of muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus). Electrical stimulation of the AENNote: AEN innervates the nasal mucosa; 'lining of the nose' = nasal mucosa
The page saysbriefly stopped its breathing, much like the diving response.
The source saysproduced immediate and sustained bradycardia and cessation of respiration similar to that of the diving response
The page saysbriefly stopped its breathing
The source sayswith a concurrent 4.2+/-0.9 s apnea, during the 5 s stimulation periodNote: briefly = a 4.2 s apnea
The page saysdropped its heart rate from about 264 to 121 beats per minute
The source saysHeart rate (HR) significantly decreased from 264+/-18 to 121+/-8 bpmNote: vibe.reason

Source
04

Xie et al. 2022

Xie et al. (2022). Mass Spectrometry Imaging of Lipids in the Scent Glands of Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) in Different Reproductive Statuses. Cells.

The page saysMales have a pair of scent glands that give off a musky odor to attract females in the breeding season
The source saysmale muskrats have a pair of scent glands that can emit musky odor substances to attract females during the breeding period

Source
05

Danell 1996

Danell (1996). Introductions of aquatic rodents: lessons of the muskrat Ondatra zibethicus invasion. Wildlife Biology.

The page saysThey were introduced to northwestern Europe.
The source saysIn northwestern Europe, it was introduced to Finland in 1919Note: FAQ 3
The page saysThey went to Finland in 1919 and the Kola Peninsula in 1931, and spread from there into Sweden and Norway.
The source saysit was introduced to Finland in 1919 and to the Kola Peninsula in 1931. From these areas, it spread ‘naturally’ to Sweden and Norway, respectivelyNote: FAQ 3
The page saysOne review calls the muskrat a most successful vertebrate invader.
The source saysIt is regarded as a most successful vertebrate invader.Note: FAQ 3

Source
06

Nentwig et al. 2017

Nentwig et al. (2017). More than “100 worst” alien species in Europe. Biological Invasions.

The page saysA study that ranked 486 alien species in Europe by their impact put the muskrat among the highest-ranking ones.
The source saysWe used the generic impact scoring system (GISS) to rank 486 alien species established in Europe ... Among the highest ranking species are one bird (Branta canadensis), four mammals (Rattus norvegicus, Ondatra zibethicus,

Source
07

Cassola 2016

Cassola (2016). Ondatra zibethicus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T15324A22344525.

The page saysLeast Concern
The source saysIUCN Red List category: Least Concern (LC).Note: stats.conservationStatus; GBIF copy of the Red List, taxon 15324
The page saysThe IUCN Red List rated the species Least Concern in 2016.
The source saysIUCN Red List category: Least Concern (LC).Note: assessment year 2016 is in the DOI and the reference

How the table was made: a writer drafted the profile from these sources and logged each claim with its quote, a reviewer with nothing but this table checked every sentence said no more than its quote, and a script confirmed each quote appears word for word in the source. The method is in the site'sAbout page.