Ondatra zibethicus

Stevens, R.T., T.L. Ashwood, and J.M. Sleeman. 1997. Mercury in hair of muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) and mink (Mustela vison) from the U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Reservation. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 58 720-725. 

Muskrat, Ondatra zibethicus August 1960, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, from settling basin for radioactive wastes, single most radioactive animal Brain vs. eyes ... 

In most countries in the Northern hemisphere the muskrat, Ondatra zibethicus, is mainly appreciated for its beautiful muskrat or "bisam" fur. It was for this reason that it was introduced from America into Czechoslovakia and other European countries early in the 20th century. In the Netherlands, however, it is now a major pest, damaging the banks of the many canals and dikes, so vital for a country lying largely below sea level. This threat is evident from the schematic drawing of Figure 1. 

The muskrat or musquash Ondatra zibethicus) is a relatively large, amphibious rodent that is native to North America. The northern range of the muskrat reaches as far as the limits of the boreal forest from Alaska to Labrador and Newfoundland. The southern range of the muskrat extends through much of the United States as far south as northern Baja California, although not in the coastal plains of the southern states or coastal California. Muskrats have also been introduced in Europe, where it was hoped they would become a valuable source of fur. 

Compared to animals from a reference site, muslaats (Ondatra zibethicus) from a site contaminated by copper and other chemicals have higher concentrations of copper in kidneys, smaller spleens, larger adrenals, less fat, and lower body weight. 

The muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) is a rodent, around 30 cm long, belonging to the family of voles it is valued especially for its fur (Fig. 3.40). Originally native to North America, the muskrat is also found nowadays in central Europe. The muskrat has pockets near its sexual organs, which produce a musk-like scent. A chemical process of extracting it was developed in the 1940s, but it did not prove commercially worthwhile. [158]... 

Since the 17th century it has been known that muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) secrete a glandular substance with a musky odour in order to mark their territories. 

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