JungleDragon is a nature and wildlife community for photographers, travellers and anyone who loves nature. We're genuine, free, ad-free and beautiful.

Join

Coypu in the lake of Marie-Antoinette's estate Eurasian beaver or otter? No - coypu, nutria or river rat (Myocastor coypus). Coypu or Nutria,France,Geotagged,Myocastor coypus Click/tap to enlarge PromotedCountry intro

Coypu in the lake of Marie-Antoinette's estate

Eurasian beaver or otter? No - coypu, nutria or river rat (Myocastor coypus).

    comments (5)

  1. View WildFlower's profile
    WildFlower
    Lion
    View Lion class
    A few photos to compare with
    http://www.arkive.org/eurasian-beaver/castor-fiber/image-G36280.html
    http://www.arkive.org/eurasian-beaver/castor-fiber/image-G38568.html
    http://www.hlasek.com/castor_fiber.html
    http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/Lutra_lutra1pl.jpg
    http://www.hlasek.com/lutra_lutra.html     Posted 11 years ago
  2. View travismorhardt's profile
    travismorhardt
    Lion
    View Lion class
    My vote is otter, but it is very difficult to tell for sure. Just basing off the beavers I have seen swim, you usually cannot see their tail when they are cruising at their regular rate. Posted 11 years ago
  3. View Ferdy Christant's profile
    Ferdy Christant
    Lion
    View Lion class
    It looks round me, but I'm of course also not sure. If you're confident enough, you can identify based on the best guess. Either way, great capture, must have felt great to experience this. Posted 11 years ago, modified 11 years ago
    1. View WildFlower's profile
      WildFlower
      Lion
      View Lion class
      It is round indeed, but it is neither a beaver nor an otter. Because the best guess is not good enough to convince me, I continued searching and I found this blog
      http://versailles-mypics.over-blog.com/tag/Fauna/
      Apparently, it is a coypu, nutria or river rat (Myocastor coypus). Originally native to South America, it has been introduced to France by fur ranchers.
      Funny, you've made a comment on one of your photos from the Antwerp zoo that they are easily confused with beavers...       Posted 11 years ago, modified 11 years ago
      1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
        Ferdy Christant
        Lion
        View Lion class
        Interesting, thanks for the follow-up! Posted 11 years ago

Sign in or Join in order to comment.

The Coypu

The coypu , also known as the river rat or nutria, is a large, herbivorous, semiaquatic rodent and the only member of the family Myocastoridae. Originally native to subtropical and temperate South America, it has since been introduced to North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, primarily by fur ranchers.

Info 25 1
Similar species: Rodents
Species identified by WildFlower
View WildFlower's profile

By WildFlower

All rights reserved
Uploaded Dec 3, 2013. Captured Nov 13, 2013 16:36 in Allée Saint-Antoine, 78000 Versailles, France.
country flag of France Explore France 1,186 763 1
  • Canon PowerShot SX40 HS
  • f/5.0
  • 1/125s
  • ISO160
  • 72.955mm
Captured in the fall. More fall photos.