muskrat

Musk"rat`, n. 1. (Zoöl.) Defn: A North American aquatic fur-bearing rodent (Fiber zibethicus). It resembles a rat in color and having a long scaly tail, but the tail is compressed, the bind feet are webbed, and the ears are concealed in the fur. It has scent glands which secrete a substance having a strong odor of musk. Called also musquash, musk beaver, and ondatra. 2. (Zoöl.) Defn: The musk shrew. 3. (Zoöl.) Defn: The desman.

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