VIDEO: The Truth About Odd Creature Spotted in Beacon, NY

It's hard to believe, but even after living in the Hudson Valley for decades, I'm still learning about new animals that call our corner of New York home.

Nature has always fascinated me. Having foxes, opossums, beavers, and even martins and minks as neighbors is something I'll never take for granted... but how am I just learning about another local resident?

"Mystery" Animal Spotted in Beacon, NY

The mystery started with a video posted in the Beacon Community Facebook page. "We aren't the only ones who enjoy a late night stroll", the caption read, along with a short clip of an animal that seemed to shapeshift the more I looked at it. My first thought was a beaver, but its tail was too narrow. Was it a rare river otter? No, the body was too stout. A giant mutated rat? Almost...

Muskrats Living in New York State

The animal, as many Hudson Valley residents knew well, was none other than a muskrat. The odd animal looks like a mix between a mouse and a beaver, and now I might have a new favorite rodent. Nicknamed "river rats", their usual habitat might be the reason I had never seen one before.

Read More: Rare Predator Caught On Doorbell Camera In New York

Muskrat Habitat in the Hudson Valley, NY

"I see them all the time when fishing. They always pop out of a pipe or some debris and scare the heck out of you", said a local angler. "Good ol’ river rat, if you don’t like them definitely ovoid the park down by the train station. There used to be tons of them down for as long as I can remember", added a Beacon, NY resident. It's not the first time this marvelous mammal caught the Hudson Valley's attention.

NYSDEC Rescue of Muskrat in Beacon, NY

Back in 2020, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) responded to a call when another muskrat became stuck in a chain link fence after it seemed to wander a little too far from its home (above). Luckily, the animal was rescued without further injury. Still more residents had other ideas for the creatures.

Hunting Season for Muskrats in New York State

"Get your 22 they’re good eatin’", commented a Beacon, NY outdoorsman. Muskrats are one of the many New York animals local hunters can legally harvest, but while muskrat and mink seasons both run from early November to April, the only Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) available for muskrat hunting is in Lake Champlain.

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There seems to be wildlife everywhere you look in the Hudson Valley. From a black bear lounging on the SUNY New Paltz campus to a family of beavers frolicking in Orange County, NY, check out adorable photos of our furry friends below.