Are There Muskrats in New York?
Yes, muskrats are common throughout New York State, thriving in wetlands from the Hudson River valley to the Finger Lakes region. You can find them in marshes, swamps, and along riverbanks where aquatic vegetation grows thick. They are established year-round residents, though they are most visible during spring and fall when they are actively foraging and building.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 22, 2026.
- 2,361
- GBIF records
Yes, muskrats are in New York. Next you'll want:
Yes, muskrats are common throughout New York State, thriving in wetlands from the Hudson River valley to the Finger Lakes region. You can find them in marshes, swamps, and along riverbanks where aquatic vegetation grows thick. They are established year-round residents, though they are most visible during spring and fall when they are actively foraging and building.
Where Muskrats Are Found in New York
Muskrats inhabit wetland areas across New York from Long Island Sound north through the Hudson River valley and west to Lake Erie. The Tappan Zee wetlands, Tonawanda Swamp, and the marshes surrounding the Finger Lakes all support healthy muskrat populations. The Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge near Syracuse is a prime muskrat habitat. Along the Mohawk River valley, muskrats are regularly observed in shallow waters and marsh edges. They thrive wherever cattail marshes and water lilies grow abundantly. Eastern Long Island has year-round populations, particularly in the salt marshes and freshwater ponds. The Hudson River between Poughkeepsie and New York City has established populations in tributary marshes and brackish wetland zones. Lake Champlain's coastal marshes in northern New York also harbor stable populations. For more on muskrat in New York, see ourNew York muskrat guide.
Seasonal Patterns and Activity in New York
Muskrats remain active throughout the year in New York, though their behavior changes with seasons. They do not hibernate, but they become less visible during winter when water surfaces freeze. Late fall is when they are most conspicuous as they prepare lodges and gather food caches. Spring brings increased activity and territorial calling as breeding season arrives. Summer heat drives them to spend more time in water and less time on land. Fall through early winter is prime muskrat viewing season when water levels drop in some marshes and they forage openly. Most mating occurs from March through June. Young are born in litters of 3 to 6 pups after a gestation of about 30 days. You can also browseNew York wildlife.
How to Identify a Muskrat
Muskrats measure 15 to 25 inches in body length with a naked, scaly tail that is 8 to 11 inches long and flattened vertically. Their fur is dense and ranges from dark brown to nearly black, with lighter undersides. The head is relatively small compared to the stocky body. Eyes are tiny and beady. Hind feet are partially webbed for swimming, while front feet are small with claws. Musk glands at the base of the tail produce a distinctive musky odor, especially during breeding season. Males are slightly larger than females. Teeth are orange and visible when the mouth opens. The tail is the most distinctive feature, unlike any other rodent in New York. See all of ourwildlife guides.
Where to Spot Muskrats in New York
Look for muskrats in cattail marshes, rushes beds, and shallow water edges where aquatic plants are dense. The wetlands ofwildlife/new-york/muskratshow specific site recommendations. Montezuma Refuge and Tonawanda Swamp offer the best public viewing opportunities from boardwalks and trails. Early morning or dusk increases the chance of observation. Listen for splashing as they dive or move through dense vegetation. Lodges are cone-shaped mounds of vegetation 3 to 4 feet tall, built near water in deeper marshes. Burrows along riverbanks are also used as shelter. Feeding shelters, small platforms of vegetation where they eat, appear throughout their territories. Look also for trails and slides in the mud at water's edge. OurNew York wildlife guidecovers more species you may run into.
Muskrat Behavior and Diet
Muskrats are primarily nocturnal, most active from dusk through dawn, though they also forage during the day. They are solitary or live in small family groups centered on a breeding pair. Diet consists mainly of aquatic plants including cattails, rushes, arrowhead, water lilies, and pondweeds. They also eat freshwater mussels, snails, and occasionally small fish. Muskrats can dive and stay underwater for up to 17 minutes while foraging. They spend significant time grooming and maintaining their waterproof fur. Males are territorial and mark boundaries with musk secretions. In winter, they maintain breathing holes in the ice and remain active beneath frozen surfaces. Their lodge construction shows remarkable engineering, with multiple chambers and entrance tunnels submerged below the waterline. Read more aboutmuskrat in New York.
Coexistence and Safety in New York
Muskrats cause minimal conflict with people and are generally harmless. In New York, they are not protected, and regulated trapping exists in designated seasons. They are important prey for mink, otter, and large raptors like bald eagles. Muskrats rarely bite unless cornered or grabbed. Their presence indicates healthy wetland ecosystems. Disease transmission to humans is extremely rare. They do not carry rabies more frequently than other wildlife. Occasionally, muskrats burrow in embankments or pond dikes, which can weaken structures, but this is uncommon in natural settings. Most sightings pose no threat to humans or property. Children and pets should observe from a distance, as they would with any wild animal. Their presence inwildlife/new-yorkis a sign of ecological health. Browsewildlife in New Yorkfor related pages.
Species Confused with Muskrats in New York
Nutria are the species most commonly confused with muskrats. Nutrias are much larger, weighing 15 to 20 pounds compared to muskrats at 1 to 2 pounds. Nutrias have round, rat-like tails and prominent orange incisors visible year-round. Nutrias originated from South America and are now established in New York wetlands. Beavers are also sometimes mistaken for muskrats but are far larger, reaching 40 to 60 pounds with a massive flat tail. Water voles are much smaller, only 3 to 5 inches long, with shorter tails and different teeth. Mink are sleek predators, long and low, with entirely different body proportions. Shrews occasionally seen in water are tiny, less than 4 inches total. Distinguishing muskrats from these species relies on size, tail shape, and habitat preference.
Frequently Asked Questions About Muskrats in New York
What do muskrats sound like? Muskrats are generally silent, but territorial males make clicking and gurgling vocalizations during breeding season. The sounds are low volume and heard primarily at night near marshes. Do muskrats stay in the same area year-round? Yes, they maintain territories within a small home range throughout the year, rarely moving far from their lodge or burrow. Are muskrats active in winter? Yes, they remain active beneath the ice and in air pockets within their lodges. They create and maintain breathing holes to access water even when the surface freezes completely. Can muskrats be kept as pets? In New York, muskrats are wild animals protected by state law, and trapping requires a license. They should never be captured or kept without legal permits.
Plan your muskrat sighting in New York
2,361 verified muskrat records have been logged in New York, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in New York
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Chesapeake Bay · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Fire Island National Seashore · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Martin Van Buren National Historic Site · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- National Parks of New York Harbor · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
More places to see muskrat
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