Search

Search results

Displaying 1 - 10

muskrat

(Encyclopedia) muskrat, North American aquatic rodent. The common muskrats, species of the genus Ondatra, are sometimes called by their Native American name, musquash. They are found in marshes,…

musk

(Encyclopedia) musk, odorous substance secreted by an abdominal gland of the musk deer, used in perfume as a scent and fixative. The gland, found only in males, grows to the size of a hen's egg; the…

Barataria Bay

(Encyclopedia) Barataria BayBarataria Baybărətârˈēə [key], SE La., separated from the Gulf of Mexico by Grand and Grand Terre islands. It is linked to the Intracoastal Waterway by a navigable channel…

vole

(Encyclopedia) vole, name for a large number of mouselike rodents, related to the lemmings. Most range in length from 31&fslsh;2 to 7 in. (9–18 cm) and have rounded bodies with gray or brown…

mountain beaver

(Encyclopedia) mountain beaver, stout, short-limbed North American rodent, Aplodontia rufa, not closely related to the true beaver. Also called sewellel beaver after the Chinook word for a robe made…

rat

(Encyclopedia) rat, name applied to various stout-bodied rodents, usually having a pointed muzzle, long slender tail, and dexterous forepaws. It refers particularly to the two species of house rat,…

nutria

(Encyclopedia) nutrianutrian&oomacr;ˈtrēə [key] or coypucoypukoiˈp&oomacr; [key], aquatic rodent, Myocastor coypus, of South America, introduced in the S United States for its fur, which is…

mink

(Encyclopedia) mink, semiaquatic carnivorous mammal of the genus Mustela, closely related to the weasel and highly prized for its fur. One species, Mustela vison, is found over most of North America…

mouse

(Encyclopedia) mouse, name applied to numerous species of small rodents, often having soft gray or brown fur, long hairless tails, and large ears. The chief distinction between these animals and the…