Daily and seasonal activity patterns of the muskrat Ondatra zibethicus as revealed by radiotelemetry

Abstract

Activity patterns of the muskrat Ondatra zibethicus L. were examined during summer and winter in Delta Marsh, Manitoba, Canada (50°11′N, 98°23′W). Animals exhibited intermittent activity throughout the day with a mean periodicity close to 6 h in both seasons. The 24‐h activity pattern in summer was typically bimodal with major peaks occurring between sunset and sunrise. Muskrats were more diurnal in winter when maximal levels of activity occurred in late afternoon and early evening (1500–2000). Pronounced inter‐ and intra‐individual variability in daily activity ensured continuous, or nearly continuous occupation of winter shelters by a variable number of muskrats, and thus enchanced microclimate stability. Daily variation in activity and weather were weakly correlated both summer and winter. Of the environmental variables tested, only photoperiod and wind speed in summer, and photoperiod and air temperature in winter correlated significantly with total time spent in lodge or burrow per day.