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Myocastor coypus (Molina, 1782)
Coypu; Nutria; River Rat; Swamp Beaver
Family: Myocastoridae
Introduction to the Mammals of BC

Photograph

© Creative Commons     (Photo ID #14313)

Map

Introduction


The Nutria, or Coypu, is large, herbivorous, semi-aquatic rodent from South America that was introduced to North America and British Columbia in the 1930's for fur farming (1938 in BC). Superficially, the Nutria resembles the Beaver and the Muskrat. However, it is smaller than a beaver and lacks the large flat tail (the Nutria's tail is smaller and cylindrical) and is larger in size than a muskrat.

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)		COSEWIC
UnlistedUnlistedUnlistedUnlisted



BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

Additional Range and Status Information Links

NatureServe Explorer
 University of Alaska Museum

Species References

Nagorsen, David W. 2005. Rodents and Lagomorphs of British Columbia. Royal BC Museum Handbook. Royal BC Museum, Victoria.

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