Mammal
Coypu
Myocastor coypusAlso known as Nutria, Swamp Beaver, Coypu Rat
Coypu are large semi-aquatic rodents native to South America, instantly recognizable by their bright orange incisors and long, round, scaly tails. They construct extensive burrow networks along riverbanks and marsh edges, where their voracious appetite for wetland roots can cause severe erosion and structural damage to levees. Introduced globally for the fur trade, feral populations now challenge native wetland ecosystems across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Semi-aquaticInvasiveRodent
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyHerbivorous (aquatic plant stems, roots, bark, and crops)
Predators
- American Alligator
- Coyote
- Birds of Prey
ThreatsEradication campaigns and severe winter freezes
HabitatsWetlands, marshes, riverbanks, lakes, and drainage canals
Life span3–6 years in the wild
Classification
- OrderRodentia
- FamilyMyocastoridae
- GenusMyocastor
- SpeciesMyocastor coypus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Capable of delivering a severe bite if cornered; observe from a distance along waterways.
- Why it is dangerous
- Large, chisel-like incisors and powerful jaw muscles can cause severe puncture wounds and tissue damage if cornered.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognized by dark brown fur, bright orange front teeth, a white muzzle patch, and a round scaly tail.
- What to do
- Keep pets on a leash near water edges and give the animal a clear escape route back into the water.
Responsible observation
- Tail Shape: Look for a long, round tail to distinguish them from flat-tailed beavers.
- Safe Distance: Keep several meters away along shorelines, as cornered animals will defend themselves.
- Facial Features: Spot them in the water by their distinctive white muzzles and bright orange teeth.
Competitor (c) Rodney Campbell, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Competitor (c) Owen Strickland, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Owen Strickland · cc-by
Distant Relative "Capybara" by lorentey is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
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