Nutria
Myocastor coypus
Description
Large aquatic rodent. Brown above; somewhat paler below. Long, scaly, sparsely haired rounded tail. Muzzle and chin whitish. Ears and eyes small. Incisors dark orange, protruding beyond lips. Hindfeet longer than forefeet, with inner 4 toes webbed. Male larger than female. L 26–55" (67–140 cm); T 11 3/4–17 1/4" (30–44 cm); HF 4 3/8"–5 1/2" (11–14 cm); Wt 5–25 lb (2.3–11.3 kg).
Similar Species
Common Muskrat is smaller, with vertically flattened tail (higher than wide). American Beaver is larger, with large, horizontally flattened tail.
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