"I'm not a beaver!" When they are in the water, it's easy to see why people mistake muskrats for beavers. Both are semi-aquatic rodents that are brown and furry. Once out of the water, you can spot the differences between the two species. Muskrat: Skinny tail. Smaller in size (adults weigh around 4 pounds). Pointy face. Good at scritches. Beaver: Big flat tail. Much larger (adults weigh between 30 - 60 pounds). Probably also good at scritches. Video by K. Theule/ USFWS Video description: A small

This muskrat is on the move! Did you know muskrats are helpful to their aquatic communities? They harvest plants for food and shelter, creating open water for ducks, geese, shorebirds, and other wildlife. In addition, many animals —including snakes, turtles, and frogs use muskrat lodges to rest and nest in. | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service