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Description
Europe’s North Sea 45myh, a spectacled marmotter closes in on a scallop.

During the Holocene, rats found great success around port cities and towns built by humanity. Even after humanity was gone populations of rats stayed near the coasts and became much better adapted to marine ecologies. The marmotters are the most successful descendants of these first marine myomorphs. An elongated otter like body, webbed feet and powerful back legs enable fast and manoeuvrable movement below the surface. Marmotters are among the most carnivorous rodents of the calidocene with 80% of their diets typically consisting of animal protein, only occasionally supplemented by both marine and land plants found on the shores. These rodents are particularly fond of crustaceans and bivalves, catching them under water then processing them either on the beach or at the surface on their belly. Marmotters give birth to small altricial young in seaside burrows.

Description
Europe’s North Sea 45myh, a spectacled marmotter closes in on a scallop.

During the Holocene, rats found great success around port cities and towns built by humanity. Even after humanity was gone populations of rats stayed near the coasts and became much better adapted to marine ecologies. The marmotters are the most successful descendants of these first marine myomorphs. An elongated otter like body, webbed feet and powerful back legs enable fast and manoeuvrable movement below the surface. Marmotters are among the most carnivorous rodents of the calidocene with 80% of their diets typically consisting of animal protein, only occasionally supplemented by both marine and land plants found on the shores. These rodents are particularly fond of crustaceans and bivalves, catching them under water then processing them either on the beach or at the surface on their belly. Marmotters give birth to small altricial young in seaside burrows.