Are There Muskrats in Maryland?
Muskrats are abundant throughout Maryland's waters and wetlands. These skilled swimmers thrive in the Chesapeake Bay, Eastern Shore marshes, and numerous inland waterways. You'll find them in rivers, lakes, and coastal areas year-round. Maryland's diverse aquatic habitats support large muskrat populations, making the state one of the best places to observe these animals.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 22, 2026.
- 1,022
- GBIF records
Yes, muskrats are in Maryland. Next you'll want:
Muskrats are abundant throughout Maryland's waters and wetlands. These skilled swimmers thrive in the Chesapeake Bay, Eastern Shore marshes, and numerous inland waterways. You'll find them in rivers, lakes, and coastal areas year-round. Maryland's diverse aquatic habitats support large muskrat populations, making the state one of the best places to observe these animals.
Where in Maryland Muskrats Are Found
Muskrats inhabit wetlands and waterways throughout Maryland. The Chesapeake Bay, the state's defining feature, holds enormous muskrat populations in its marshes and tributaries. The Eastern Shore's expansive salt marshes from Dorchester County to Worcester County provide prime muskrat habitat. The Patuxent River, Potomac River, and Susquehanna River all support healthy muskrat populations. Western Maryland's lakes and streams, including the Youghiogheny River, host muskrats in freshwater environments. The Nanticoke River on the Eastern Shore is particularly productive for muskrats. Coastal areas near Ocean City and the lower Eastern Shore have dense populations in salt and brackish marshes. Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge near Cambridge is renowned for its muskrat abundance. Inland throughout the state, wherever marsh vegetation and stable water coexist, muskrats thrive. Learn more aboutMaryland's diverse habitats.
Season and Timing in Maryland
Muskrats are active year-round in Maryland, with activity patterns shifting seasonally. Spring, from March through May, brings intense activity as muskrats emerge from winter and establish breeding territories. Young are born from April through August, with peak births in late spring. Summer brings the highest visible activity as newly independent young explore waterways. Fall, from September through November, intensifies as muskrats gather vegetation and prepare food stores for winter. Winter activity continues, though muskrats are less visible on land due to ice formation. In the Chesapeake Bay area, mild winters mean muskrats remain relatively active throughout the season. Spring and early summer offer the best opportunities to observe muskrats in Maryland's waterways and marshes. The Eastern Shore's salt marshes host active muskrats during warm months when water conditions are most favorable. Autumn preparations are intense as muskrats work to ensure survival through winter months.
How to Identify a Muskrat
Muskrats are stocky rodents weighing two to four pounds and measuring about 16 to 25 inches long, including their distinctive tail. Their most recognizable feature is their vertically flattened tail, dark brown or black, quite unlike any other aquatic rodent. Muskrats have dense, waterproof fur that's dark brown on the back and lighter gray on the undersides. Their small ears peek out from their fur. Their hind feet are partially webbed for swimming efficiency. Males and females look similar in size and coloration. Young muskrats resemble miniature adults. Their eyes are small and dark. When swimming, only their head and tail tip are usually visible above water. Their distinctive vertically flattened tail sets them apart immediately from beavers and other wetland animals. Muskrats make soft vocalizations including chatters and squeaks when communicating or alarmed. Proper identification relies on recognizing the unique tail shape and moderate size.
Where Sightings Concentrate in Maryland
Muskrats concentrate heavily in Maryland's marshes and wetland systems. Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge near Cambridge is among the state's premier muskrat viewing areas, with consistent populations along marsh edges. The Susquehanna River flats near Havre de Grace host large numbers. The Patuxent River's lower reaches and associated marshes hold stable populations. Chesapeake Bay's tributary marshes, particularly in Dorchester, Somerset, and Wicomico Counties, are highly productive. Ocean City and the nearby sinepuxent Bay region supports dense coastal populations. The Pocomoke River's wetlands are excellent for muskrat observation. Fresh marshes around Upper Potomac areas concentrate muskrats in spring and summer. The Nanticoke River's marshes are consistently productive. Marshes along Tuckahoe Creek and the Wye River support healthy populations. Freshwater marshes in Carroll and Baltimore Counties harbor muskrats in inland settings. Time visits for dawn and dusk when muskrats are most active. VisitMaryland's wildlife hubto find habitat maps and additional information.
Typical Behavior of Muskrats
Muskrats are primarily herbivorous, feeding on marsh plants, cattails, arrowhead, water lilies, and brackish plant species. They also consume freshwater mussels, snails, crayfish, and insects when plant material is limited. Muskrats are crepuscular, most active at dawn and dusk, spending peak daylight hours in their lodges or burrows. They're excellent swimmers, using their flattened tail as a rudder and powerful webbed hind feet for propulsion. Muskrats live in loose family groups, often sharing marsh systems with multiple families. They build distinctive lodges from marsh vegetation and mud, creating cone-shaped structures that may be 3 to 4 feet tall. They also burrow into banks, creating tunnel networks. Females produce two litters annually, typically four to eight young per litter. Muskrats don't hibernate but remain active throughout winter, maintaining breathing holes in ice. Their population levels fluctuate based on water levels and marsh vegetation conditions. Understanding muskrat behavior enriches observation in Maryland's wetlands.
Coexistence and Safety Notes
Muskrats and humans coexist peacefully throughout Maryland. They're not aggressive and actively avoid human contact. Muskrats can occasionally impact agricultural water resources or drainage ditches if populations spike, though this is manageable. It's illegal to harm muskrats outside of Maryland's regulated trapping season. The state allows controlled trapping from November through March to manage populations and support traditional trappers. Landowners with concerns about muskrat activity should contact the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for guidance. Muskrats are not rabies vectors, though any wildlife bite requires medical attention. When observing muskrats, maintain distance to avoid disturbing the animals. Muskrats are integral to healthy wetland ecosystems, helping to maintain marsh structure and plant balance. Their presence indicates well-functioning wetland systems. ExploreMaryland's wildlife hubfor more information about coexisting with native species and legal protections.
Common Species People Confuse with Muskrats
Several animals in Maryland's waters are mistaken for muskrats. Beavers are the most common confusion since both are large, aquatic rodents. Beavers are dramatically larger, weighing 30 to 60 pounds versus 2 to 4 pounds, and have massive, broad, flat tails. Nutrias, invasive rodents now present in Maryland, are larger than muskrats at 15 to 20 pounds and have round tails. Rats are much smaller than muskrats and lack webbed feet. Muskrats' vertically flattened tail is the key distinguishing feature. Voles and shrews inhabit wetland edges but are tiny compared to muskrats. Young beavers might superficially resemble large muskrats, but size and tail structure clearly differentiate them. Otters sometimes confuse observers, but otters are long-bodied, sleek, and move differently in water. Properly identifying muskrats means focusing on their unique tail shape and moderate body size. Learning these distinctions prevents misidentification of other species.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do muskrats bite? Muskrats avoid humans and rarely bite unless directly provoked or trapped. Wild muskrats prefer escape to confrontation. Can muskrats harm crops or water systems? Muskrats don't build dams, but burrowing can occasionally weaken banks. Crop damage is minimal in Maryland since muskrats prefer wetland plants. When are muskrat kits born? Female muskrats produce young from April through August, with most births in May and June. Kits become independent by eight to ten weeks old. Are muskrats legal to trap in Maryland? Yes, Maryland allows trapping during November through March with proper licensing. Trapping has long-supported traditional livelihoods and helps manage populations. CheckMaryland's wildlife hubfor current season dates, licensing requirements, and regulations. Learn more aboutMaryland wildlifespecies and their conservation status.
Plan your muskrat sighting in Maryland
1,022 verified muskrat records have been logged in Maryland, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Maryland
- Antietam National Battlefield · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Assateague Island National Seashore · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Chesapeake Bay · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
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