| Coypu (Myocastor coypus (Molina, 1782)) |
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Scientific name: Myocastor coypus (Molina, 1782) Common name: Coypu Other names: Nutria French name: Ragondin Family: Myocastoridae Size: Weight : 5-9 kg; Body size : 40-60cm; lengthy tail of about 30 to 45 cm. Biotope: Ditches, irrigation channels, river banks and many habitats with fresh or salt water. Food: Herbivore: Cereals, seeds, roots. Longevity : 6 years, many Coypu die before being 3 years old. Geographic area: Native to South America, the Coypu was introduced to every continent, except Australia and Antarctica. It suffers of very cold winters which restricts the northwards extension of its range. |
The Coypu is a large water rodent showing a massive silhouette with a brown fur. The head bears a long white moustache and prominent ears located on an area with lighter coloured fur. You can also tell it apart with its four bright orange incisor teeth. The section of the Coypu's tail is round. Females have 2 to 3 litters per year of 5 to 7 young each. Coypus dig burrows up to 5 to 7 meters long. They are considered as pests due to the damages they cause. The nipples of the female are on the side of the body. It can feed the young while swimming. The Muskrat is a smaller size. Its tail is flattened. The ears are hidden under the fur and are then hardly visible. The moustache is dark and all the lower parts of the face are a lighter colour. The Eurasian Beaver is a larger size. Its tail is flattened. The moustache is dark and hardly visible. There is no light coloured area next to the ears. The Eurasian Beaver and the Muskrat are used to swimming rather deeply immerged under water, with only the head emerging out of water or sometimes the head and the back forming a straight line just above the water surface. The Coypu shows a shape with two bumps while swimming, the head and the rear. |
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No problem to tell this Coypu apart with its beautiful white moustache. This picture is not very good but the section of the tail clearly appears to be round. This confirms the species identification. |
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This picture clearly shows the silhouette of the swimming Coypu with two bumps. |
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I was observing Little Egrets when this Coypu suddenly appeared from under water and then hid under the bushes. |
André Bon September 2013