What animal in Kansas looks like a beaver but has small tail with fairly long hair?

Here's why:

* Beaver-like: Muskrat have a similar body shape to beavers, with a sturdy build and a large, rounded head.

* Small tail: Muskrat tails are much smaller and more rat-like than beaver tails. They are also scaly and nearly hairless.

* Long hair: Muskrat have dense, velvety fur, which is quite long compared to their body size.

While muskrat are sometimes mistaken for beavers, they are actually much smaller and belong to a different family. They are common throughout Kansas, especially near water sources like rivers, lakes, and wetlands.