06/11/2026
We have seen a huge population decrease
WILDLIFE WEDNESDAY- Where have all the muskrats gone?
Great question — muskrats really have been disappearing, and it’s a genuine ecological puzzle. Muskrat populations have declined sharply across North America over the last 50 years or so, and wildlife scientists have struggled to understand why.  Here’s what researchers have pieced together:
Habitat Loss & Wetland Changes
46 years of satellite imagery show that Canada’s Peace-Athabasca Delta has been drying out since the 1970s, significantly reducing muskrat habitat.  Meanwhile, wetlands have been experiencing an invasion of hybrid cattail (Typha x glauca) throughout North America, which is associated with reductions in biodiversity and open water habitat — both important features for muskrats. 
Climate & Water Levels
More likely causes for the decline are record high and extended low water levels brought on by weather extremes and climate variability over the past few decades. 
Contaminants
Some of the most alarming data collected showed a concerning level of exposure to toxic metals, found in areas across multiple states, not just one localized area — a common thread that might be contributing to the overall decline. 
The Scale of the Drop
Decreases exceed 50% in some states. In Pennsylvania alone, the muskrat harvest declined from 720,000 in 1983 to just 58,295 in 2010.  In Canada, muskrat house counts at two major wetland sites declined by 93% and 91% respectively compared to surveys from 40–50 years ago. 
The frustrating truth is that no single smoking gun has been identified. The proposed explanations include habitat loss, predation, environmental contamination, and disease  — and it’s likely a combination of all of them working together.
What do you think has happened to the muskrat populations?
