Muskrat

Smaller in stature and perhaps less acknowledged than their cousins the Beaver, these Rodents hold an important place in all the different kingdoms and tribes. The Beavers build and the Muskrats add the fine finishes. They are amazingly adept at completing the detailed finish work and comfortable trappings that make a house a home.
Muskrats have excellent spatial awareness and are known for their attention to detail. With the vast array of species with different requirements for height, weight, and agility, the Muskrats find themselves in the trades of finish carpenter, cabinet makers, furniture maker, carver or sculptor. Although there are some outliers, most Muskrats will seek out work in trades that require hands-on skills.

Basic Information

Anatomy

As a species the Muskrat are closely related to the beaver. They are a smaller mammal than there larger cousins. They still have a larger tail and the pronounced teeth of there feral brethren. 
Now standing erect their legs appear short and squat. The arms have extended slightly to allow for a more comfortable armswing and gait. The fingers and toes remain partially webbed.

Additional Information

Social Structure

They live as a family; both parents raise and educate the young until formal apprenticeship can be formed. Apprenticeships are usually within the family with either the mother or father depending on who is considered a more competent and accomplished worker. Both sexes believe that the one with the most skills should train the offspring to carry on the family legacy and that the other equally important job of maintaining the home and household should be left to the other.

Facial characteristics

A slender face that seems perpetually cheerful for the most part. The Muskrats eyes have moved forward and jaws have narrowed slightly from their feral brethren.

Average Intelligence

Highly intelligent with regards to technical thoughts and physical perception they are excellent at creating physical objects that require spatial awareness such as carvings and sculpture.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Muskrats for the most part have a very cordial relationship with the engineering Beaver and usually provide a fair share of a Beaver's workforce. They defer in terms of engineering but are the finish workers, detailers, and artisans of the partnership.

Scientific Name

Zibethicus Erectus

Origin/Ancestry

o. zibethicus

Lifespan

50 years

Average Height

3' 8"

Average Weight

100 lbs

Average Physique

The physique of the average Muskrat is pear shaped. They have narrow shoulders and wide hips to accommodate powerful legs. The tail is much narrower than that of a Beaver and resembles that of a Rat but is shorter and wider to assist it with swimming.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Primarily they have auburn fur with few distinctive markings. Though some may vary in shades of that tone, the differences are not as noticeable as some species.