Names of several animals start with the word “musk,” because they have a distinct odor about them that is often rather unpleasant. This is true of muskrats, found in many rivers, lakes and ponds throughout North America and parts of Europe. When fully grown, their bodies including their tails are up to 25 inches long. Their life span in the wild is one to three years. They are excellent swimmers and divers. Their hind feet are webbed to help them swim and work underwater. Their tails are scaly and act as rudders.
Some muskrats build domelike houses, either in the banks of streams or out in the water by piling up mud and plants. These usually have more than one underwater entrance — a God-given instinct to keep enemies from getting inside. There is another benefit of these underwater entrances. When the water is frozen over, they can still find food, including fish, frogs, clams and water plants, down under the ice. Muskrats are not picky eaters and will eat almost anything they find. While muskrats eat one third of their weight each day, that slows down in the winter, when they enter a state called torpor and only eat every few days. Muskrats like to eat on feeding platforms they build as part of their lodges. Mothers give birth to four to eight pups two or three times a year, with larger litters born in the spring.
Some might wonder how muskrats get fresh air for breathing when the entrance to their den is underwater. Their kind Creator has arranged this for them, with fresh air coming in and stale air working its way out through slightly porous roofs that are covered with loose-growing plants.
If a steep bank or a dam is available, the muskrat will dig a tunnel from under the water up into the bank and have its living quarters there.
If a person sees a muskrat home and has the patience to sit quietly in a concealed spot nearby, he is quite likely, sooner or later, to see one swimming or sitting on the outside of its home where it is safe from most enemies. But if hawks or owls are nearby, they stay safely inside. They bravely fight any attacker, but because of their small size, they often don’t have a chance. Their main enemies are snakes, foxes, raccoons, owls, hawks and also people who trap or shoot them for their pretty fur. With so many enemies, it is easy to see why they spend much time hidden in their unusual living quarters.
As we consider these and other creatures, it is plain to see how well the opening Bible verse expresses the Creator’s care over each in its special way of life. And that includes boys and girls and grown-ups too, as we have our temporary homes here on earth. How thankful we should be to Him for that loving care!
Messages of God’s Love 8/13/2023