Musk rats, particularly males, can be raised in pairs or individually in conventional enclosures. They are often kept for their musk, which is used for fragrance purposes. It is recommended to collect the musk from March to September, based on the morphological and histological development of the salivary scent gland capsule.
The restraint device for musk extraction can be made from 16-gauge welded wire mesh, designed as a simple attractor. The cage structure measures 25 cm in length, with a front opening (front end) of 6.5 cm in diameter, a rear opening (back end) of 8 cm, and a central section of 7.5 cm. This design ensures that only the head of the musk rat can enter, preventing it from turning or biting during the process. Before extracting the musk, the tail should be gently held, allowing the head to be guided into the restraining device.
To extract the musk, hold the musk rat with your left hand, using your thumb and forefinger to grip the back of the animal. With your right hand, gently massage or pinch the skin on the abdomen to locate the scent gland capsule. Starting from the head of the gland, gently press toward the tail, applying slightly more pressure as you move. A 10 ml or 50 ml glass tube or bottle should be placed at the prepuce of the penis to collect the musk droplets as they naturally flow out. After one side is extracted, repeat the process on the other side until the gland becomes soft and no longer releases musk. Over-extraction may cause pain, damage the gland, reduce future secretion, and affect the musk rat's health. After collection, return the musk rat to its original nest and allow it to rest. The musk will refill after about 13 days, making it ready for the next extraction.
Collected musk liquid should be stored in glass bottles with tight-fitting glass stoppers, kept in a refrigerator at 4°C. High-quality musk is typically a milky white, viscous substance with a distinct, unique aroma.
Male musk rats can be collected for musk between March and September, up to 15 to 17 times per year. On average, each male can yield over 0.8 grams of musk annually. The frequency of extraction should be every two weeks, but if three extractions are done consecutively, the amount of musk produced drops significantly—about 59% less than the first time. It is best to wait at least 18 days between the second and third extraction, and then allow 13 days between each subsequent session. The overall condition of the musk rat and the level of musk in the glands should also be considered when determining the timing and quantity of extraction.
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