This dead muskrat lay in the water and swelled up from cadaveric gases like a wineskin. Saprophytic bacteria and putrid phenomena. Putrefaction and the cycle of substances in nature

Blight Corrosion Decomposition Degeneration Deterioration Disintegration Disrepair Extinction Impairment Rot Adulteration Atrophy Caries Consumption Crumbling Decadence Decline Decrease Decrepitude Degeneracy Depreciation Dilapidation Dissolution Downfall Dying Fading Failing Gangrene Mortification Perishing Putrefaction Putrescence Putridity Putridness Rotting Ruin Ruination Rust Senescence Spoilage Spoilation Wasting Withering Carcass Corpse Skeleton Body Stiff The deceased The remains Blimp Airship Bladder Dirigible Zeppelin Crush Extinguish Flatten Quash Quell Squish Suppress Trample Annihilate Bear Bruise Crowd Distort Jam Kill Macerate Mash Pound Press Pulp Push Scrunch Smash Squeeze