Today I'd like to share a find from last summer — I had a chance to observe muskrats right on the banks of the Danube.
I was walking along the embankment by the Smederevo Fortress, barely paying attention to the scenery, when near the bridge I noticed some movement in the water. Among the debris, branches, and everything the river carries along, a few small animals were busy at work. At first, I couldn't tell what they were — just dark shapes on the surface. Only after taking a closer look did it become clear: muskrats (ondatras).
The place they had chosen was hard to call cozy, at least by human standards. The shore was cluttered with driftwood and river debris, but for them it seemed like perfectly suitable shelter.
The mother stayed close, watching over her young, while they huddled against her and hardly moved away. From time to time, she would swim off, likely in search of food or materials, and the little ones would stay behind, waiting, wet and patient.
As I found while preparing this post, muskrats are remarkably well adapted to life by the water. You'd usually expect to find them in quiet backwaters among reeds, but they feel just as comfortable in a city, as long as there's water and something to build a lodge from.
In appearance, they really do resemble large rats, especially when their fur is wet and clings to the body. Yet examine them closely, and their faces seem softer — even somewhat endearing.
In English, and in many other languages, they're called muskrats: the resemblance is obvious, and they do produce musk to mark their territory. However, the native name ondatra comes from the languages of the Indigenous peoples of North America.
A bit later, on my way back, I happened to discover their actual dwelling. It was hidden among sticks and debris, almost blending into the surrounding mess. Inside, there was one more youngster, apparently the laziest one. Despite the rough surroundings, the whole family looked perfectly healthy.
It felt strange and at the same time rewarding to watch them in such an environment, far from ideal, yet fully livable. After all, comfort is a relative thing.
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