What is the rat that looks like a beaver called? - briefly
The beaver‑like rodent is the nutria (Myocastor coypus), also known as the coypu. It is a large, semi‑aquatic species native to South America.
What is the rat that looks like a beaver called? - in detail
The rodent that resembles a beaver is the coypu (Myocastor coypus), commonly referred to as the nutria or beaver rat.
Coypu belong to the family Myocastoridae, the sole member of its genus. Native to South America, they have spread to North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa through fur farming and accidental releases. Adults weigh 5–9 kg, measure 40–60 cm in body length, and possess a broad, flattened tail, webbed hind feet, and dense, orange‑brown fur. Their large incisors and prominent cheek pouches give them a beaver‑like appearance, while their aquatic habits differ markedly from true beavers.
Key biological traits:
- Habitat: Freshwater marshes, rivers, ponds, and irrigated fields; they construct burrows with multiple entrances.
- Diet: Primarily herbivorous; consume aquatic plants, grasses, and crops such as rice, sugarcane, and corn.
- Reproduction: Breeding throughout the year in warm climates; litters range from 2 to 13 pups, gestation lasts about 130 days.
- Impact: Intensive feeding damages crops, erodes riverbanks, and displaces native wildlife; they are considered invasive in many regions.
- Management: Control measures include trapping, regulated hunting, and habitat modification; some programs promote commercial fur or meat production to offset population pressure.
Understanding the coypu’s morphology, ecology, and economic consequences clarifies why it is frequently labeled the “beaver‑like rat.”