Hundreds of names are given to groundhogs and muskrats. It’s easy to confuse them due to their similar names and physical appearances. To better understand what makes a muskrat and a groundhog unique, let’s take a deep dive into their differences today. It won’t take you long to know their differences and know how to identify them! Here we go.
In terms of size, habitat, and active hours, muskrats and groundhogs differ most from one another. The groundhog is significantly larger than the muskrat when it comes to size. Muskrats are roughly the size of a large rat, whereas groundhogs are larger than house cats.
Furthermore, their habitats differ considerably. A groundhog lives on the earth and burrows underground. Usually near a forested tree line, they prefer lowland fields and meadows. The muskrat, however, lives in water since it is a semiaquatic animal. A swamp, pond, stream, or any other habitat with wetlands can be a home for them.
A further difference between these two animals is the hours of activity (which is important if you’re trying to tell them apart). A groundhog is a diurnal animal, which means they sleep at night and are active during the day. During the day, Muskrats sleep and come out at dusk.
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However, these three differences stand out among the many differences between the two animals. In spite of this, each animal has a unique ecological niche that makes it unique. Here are a few additional reasons, along with these primary ones.
Groundhog Vs Muskrat: Size
When trying to distinguish between the two, size is an easy way to tell the difference. As one of the largest members of the marmot family, groundhogs weigh between 10 and 13 pounds. The groundhog is larger than its cousin the muskrat, despite being a rodent (part of the Order Rodentia).
The muskrat is a rodent, though it resembles a lemming or a vole rather than a groundhog. A groundhog’s weight can reach up to four pounds, so they are significantly smaller than a rabbit’s. Many larger animals rely on them as a foundational prey source due to their size and number. These small animals are an important food source for birds of prey, coyotes, mink, wildcats, and many others.
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Groundhog Vs Muskrat: Range and habitat
In spite of sharing similar ranges, groundhogs and muskrats live in very different habitats. Almost everywhere east of the Mississippi lies groundhog territory in the United States. Further, they are widespread across most of Canada, from east to west. In the United States, groundhogs are one of 15 species of marmot. There is a good chance that a cousin of the groundhog inhabited the niche where groundhogs were absent (for example, in the western United States, the prairie dog and the yellow-bellied marmot). Fields, meadows, and open areas with well-drained soil are preferred habitats of groundhogs. Generally, they prefer to be near tree lines, but you can find them anywhere there is space.
A Muskrat’s range is also extremely wide. From the east coast to the west coast, through Canada and Alaska, these birds are native to North America. In the US, their only absence is in southern regions without waterways they depend on. As a potential fur source, humans introduced muskrats to Europe and Asia. Since muskrats typically live near water or in semi-aquatic habitats, wetlands are vital for them. They live near rivers, streams, ponds, lakes, swamps, and canals.
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Groundhog Vs Muskrat: Diet
Although they eat mostly plants, groundhogs are technically omnivores. Plants, grasses, flowers, bark, and human crops (they may damage crops) make up their diet. Grubs, snails, and other insects may occasionally be consumed, but their primary diet is plant material.
While technically omnivorous, muskrats eat primarily vegetarian food, like the groundhog. Certain species of invasive cattails are controlled by them, especially when it comes to aquatic vegetation. Besides waterlilies and watercress, they eat various kinds of vegetation. Their diets include frogs, crayfish, mussels, small fish, and crayfish when they dip into carnivorous foods.
Groundhog Vs Muskrat: Most active at what times
A groundhog is a diurnal creature, which means it moves during the daytime and sleeps at night. Their ground dens are where they sleep at night. Their routine consists of foraging, expanding their burrows, and maintaining their habitat when they are awake. The burrowing and activity of groundhogs contribute to the creation of ecosystems, just like the dams built by beavers.
The Muskrat is nocturnal, unlike the Groundhog. Due to the high number of predators they have, muskrats hide during the day and wait to come out at night. A muskrat’s den is expanded at night as it eats vegetation and gathers food.
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