According to the fishermen, the fishing process often reveals new facets of wildlife. "Although the fish weren't biting this time, the muskrat demonstrated its skill in foraging for food. It gathered juicy reeds from the opposite bank, swam across the channel, and took them to its burrow," they said.
Interestingly, the entrance to the muskrat's burrow is always underwater. This may indicate that it is bringing food to its young, who are not yet ready to leave their safe haven," the sport fishermen added.
The muskrat, also known as the water rat, is the largest representative of the family Cricetidae and the only modern representative of its genus.
This species, belonging to the tribe Ondatrini of the subfamily Arvicolinae, was acclimatized in Eurasia, although its native habitat is North America.
The muskrat thrives in aquatic environments and has dense, water-repellent chestnut-colored fur. Due to its valuable fur, this rodent has been introduced to many countries. It was first brought to Kyrgyzstan in 1944 to Issyk-Kul, and it appeared in the Chui Valley in 1946.
