“Muskrat Suzie, Muskrat Sam

Do the jitterbug out in Muskrat Land”

 Do you remember these lyrics to a popular song?  Can you name the song, the artist(s) who made it famous, and the year it was popular?  If so, let us know your answers in the comments section.

Muskrats Suzie and Sam don’t have time to do the jitterbug at the Horicon Marsh.  They have been building their houses for the winter.  How many do you see in the photo?

The song lyrics go on to say that muskrats nibble on bacon and chew on cheese.  Actually, muskrats love to eat cattails.  They use cattails, along with mud, to build their houses, called “push-ups.” They probably got this name because it takes so much exercise to build the dome.  I’m just kidding.  There is an underwater entrance and they keep dry in the chamber above the water.  Canada Geese and Mallards may nest on top.

If the songwriter had visited the Horicon Marsh first, before writing the tune, we would be singing a totally different song.