water rat (water rat)

One of several different rodents, of aquatic habits, belonging to the family Muridæ. (a) In Europe, the water-vole, a comparatively large blackish species, Arvicola amphi Water-rat (Arvicola amphibius). bus, which lives in the banks of streams of lakes ise vole2. In America, the musquash or muskrat, Fiber zibet hic us. See cut under muskrat. (c) In Australia and Tasmania, a water-mouse; any species of the genus us Hydromys, as H. chrysogaster or H. leuco gaster: also called beaver-rat. See cut under beaver - rat.