IT IS INTERESTING THAT THIS SMALL ANIMAL, WHO BUILDS
MUD HOUSES ON THE SQUAW CREEK NWR PONDS, CREATES RESTING
PLACES FOR ALL OF THE WATERFOWL AND RAPTORS. WITHOUT
THESE LITTLE CREATURES, THE PONDS WOULD BE MUCH LESS
FRIENDLY TO THE REST OF THE WILDLIFE..


THESE HOUSES ARE OBVIOUSLY STRONG AND IMPENETRABLE.. AND
THEY SEEM LARGE FOR SUCH A SMALL ANIMAL.. AS THEY PROVIDE
AN OBSERVATION PLATFORM FOR PREDATORS, THE LIFE OF A MUSKRAT
MUST BE IN CONSTANT DANGER OUTSIDE THE HOUSE..
AT LEAST WHEN EAGLES ARE
PRESENT..