Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Wildlife Management Muskrats float?

So I've been hunting a nuisance Muskrat for 2 weeks and finally one night he came up out of the water and was snacking on some crayfish. Shot him/her on the bank and flopped twice and then swam off in the water. I haven't seen him/her since. I figured a dead one would float? Thoughts?

Water has cleared up also.

I would guess once it gases up it would float. Or, maybe a Mink took care of it, or a Snapper, or,,,,,

Any other predators that could have snacked on it before it had a chance to float?

Just a few WAG's

Most mammals of any size will not float immediately after death in water. Usually anywhere between 7-14 days (depending on water temp, etc) if the carcass hasn't been eaten it'll float up, but not initially.

Most birds will float initially just due to their innate buoyancy from the feathers. Mammals, not so much.

Thanks for the info guys!

It might float immediately, or might sink if hit in the lungs. My bet, however, is it made it back into its den and may eventually die there.

AveryMolly raccoons can swim so it's odd that it died in your pool Is it an above ground pool? If there is no easy way out then the simplest solution is to make an easy way out. I know for frogs and snakes you can leave sorta floating ramps. Something similar for critters would probably work.

If it's an in ground pool though with steps I'd say you have another issue. Like perhaps the raccoon had eaten some rat poison and just croaked getting water.

Short of covering it though I don't think you'll find an easy solution to keeping animals from getting to it.

We'll return to another exciting episode of "CSI: Muskrat".

Can you attach a board to the top side of the pool and have a float on the end of it, so it makes a sort of gangplank to get out of the pool?

Anything draped over the side that extends down into the water would help. Some large rope or cargo netting would work nicely. Most wild animals can climb very well, especially the racoon. A more elaborate solution would to make a removable set of small stairs or a ramp (like Esshup mentioned) that just hangs on the edge of the pool.