A nutria, also known as a coypu, is a substantial semi-aquatic rodent. This article details their physical characteristics to help distinguish them from other wildlife. Understanding their appearance is the first step in recognizing these animals in their natural habitats.
Overall Appearance and Size
Nutria possess a robust and stout body, often appearing with an arched back when on land. Their fur typically ranges from light to dark brown, though some individuals may exhibit yellowish-brown shades. A dense, soft grey underfur is present beneath coarser, longer guard hairs.
Adult nutria are sizable rodents, generally weighing between 4 to 9 kilograms (9-20 pounds), with some individuals reaching up to 17 kilograms (37 pounds). Their body length measures approximately 40 to 60 centimeters (16-24 inches), excluding the tail. The tail adds another 30 to 45 centimeters (12-18 inches) to their total length.
Specific Identifying Features
Their large, prominent incisor teeth are distinctly bright orange or yellow and are often visible even when the animal’s mouth is closed. This color comes from a high concentration of iron in their tooth enamel, which strengthens them for gnawing. Nutria also have long, noticeable white whiskers, up to 10 centimeters (4 inches) in length.
Their tail is round, scaly, and sparsely haired, much like a rat’s tail. Nutria have webbed hind feet, with webbing between their first four toes for aquatic movement. Their front feet are not webbed and have five un-webbed toes. Nutria have small eyes and ears that are almost hidden within their fur, set high on their heads.
Distinguishing Nutria from Other Aquatic Rodents
Nutria are often mistaken for beavers or muskrats due to their semi-aquatic nature and similar habitats. Beavers are larger than nutria, with adult beavers weighing between 16 to 30 kilograms (35-65 pounds). Their tails are a primary difference: beavers possess a broad, flat, and paddle-like tail, in contrast to the nutria’s round, rat-like tail. Beavers also have black whiskers and flatter heads.
Muskrats are smaller than nutria, usually weighing between 1.4 to 2.3 kilograms (3-5 pounds) and measuring around 60 centimeters (2 feet) in total length. Their tails are laterally flattened, or vertically compressed, serving as a rudder for swimming, unlike the nutria’s round tail. Muskrats also have black whiskers, differing from the nutria’s prominent white ones. When swimming, muskrats often move their tails in a snake-like manner, while a nutria’s tail remains relatively still.