AnAge entry for Ondatra zibethicus

Classification (HAGRID: 02909)

Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
    Phylum: Chordata
        Class: Mammalia (Taxon entry)
            Order: Rodentia
                Family: Cricetidae
                    Genus: Ondatra
Species
Ondatra zibethicus
Common name
Muskrat
Synonyms
Castor zibethicus, Ondatra americana, Fiber zibethicus nigra, Fiber zibethicus maculosa, Fiber zibethicus varius, Fiber zibethicus niger, Ondatra zibethicus zibethicus, Fiber macrodon, Fiber obscurus, Fiber occipitalis, Fiber osoyoosensis, Fiber spatulatus, Fiber zibethicus albus, Fiber zibethicus aquilonius, Ondatra zibethica bernardi, Fiber zibethicus cinnamominus, Fiber zibethicus hudsonius, Ondatra zibethica goldmani, Fiber zibethicus mergens, Fiber zibethicus pallidus, Fiber zibethicus ripensis, Fiber zibethicus rivalicius, Fiber zibethicus zalophus, Ondatra zibethicus ripensis

Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits

Maximum longevity
Not yet established
Observations

There are conflicting reports about the longevity of the muskrat. In the wild, these animals live about 3 years. It 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 [0671]. More studies are necessary to better estimate the longevity of the muskrat.

Life history traits (averages)

Female sexual maturity
285 days
Male sexual maturity
285 days
Gestation
26 days
Weaning
25 days
Litter size
6.7 (viviparous)
Litters per year
2.7
Inter-litter interval
30 days
Weight at birth
22.72 g
Weight at weaning
152.1 g
Adult weight
1,362 g
Postnatal growth rate
0.0323 days-1 (from Gompertz function)

Metabolism

Typical body temperature
311ºK or 37.4ºC or 99.3ºF
Basal metabolic rate
4.3630 W
Body mass
976.3 g
Metabolic rate per body mass
0.004469 W/g

References

External Resources

Integrated Taxonomic Information System
ITIS 180318
Animal Diversity Web
ADW account (if available)
Encyclopaedia of Life
Search EOL
NCBI Taxonomy
Taxonomy ID 10060
Entrez
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Ageing Literature
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Images
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Internet
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