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Albino Coypu - smiling closeup, Zie-Zoo, Netherlands
Zoo shot of an Albino Coypu. I'm seeing lots of reference images online of white Coypus, I haven't been able to figure out why this is so common. Anyway, here we see one of the defining characteristics of the species: the deeply orange front teeth (Incisors).
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.
Similar species: Rodents
By Ferdy Christant
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Uploaded Jun 12, 2018. Captured May 6, 2018 13:39.
comments (13)
"With their chubby, heavily whiskered faces and bright orange teeth, Coypus (Myocastor coypus) are incredibly cute, giant rodents! But, they are also incredible pests and are among the world's worst invasive species as they can cause severe damage to the environment in countries where they are an introduced species. These semi-aquatic, 20 pound rodents are native to South America, where populations are kept in check by their natural predators. But, they have been transplanted to almost every continent on earth and domesticated as fur animals. Countless liberations and escapees from fur farms have created enormous feral populations. Coypus are reproduce prolifically. They reach sexual maturity at only a few months old, reproduce up to three times a year, and have up to a dozen babies per litter! And, since they dig extensive tunnels and consume up to 25% of their body weight in plant matter per day, they quickly destroy crops and eliminate important flora, compromise water channels and levees, cause floods and erosion, and destroy marshes. They are well-adapted to many habitats and create environmental catastrophes along the way to the extent that many countries have declared war on the coypu. {Spotted by JungleDragon founder, Ferdy Christant} #JungleDragon" Posted 6 years ago
I also read that coypus can normally be brown or yellowish, although brown is more common. Albino being rare. But, as you said, in different languages, the meaning and intention may differ from the scientific definition.
Posted 6 years ago