fiber zibethicus

1 definition found

fiber zibethicus - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Muskrat \Musk"rat`\, n.
     1. (Zool.) A North American aquatic fur-bearing rodent
        (Ondatra zibethica formerly Fiber zibethicus). It
        resembles a rat in color and having a long scaly tail, but
        the tail is compressed, the hind feet are webbed, and the
        ears are concealed in the fur. It has scent glands which
        secrete a substance having a strong odor of musk. Called
        also musquash, musk beaver, ondatra, and sometimes
        water rat.
        [1913 Webster +PJC]
  
     2. (Zool.) The musk shrew.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Zool.) The desman.
        [1913 Webster]