Which animal resembles a beaver but has a tail like a rat's? - briefly
The muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) is a rodent that looks similar to a beaver but possesses a long, slender tail resembling that of a rat.
Which animal resembles a beaver but has a tail like a rat's? - in detail
The creature that most closely matches a beaver‑type build while displaying a slender, hairless tail resembling that of a rat is the coypu, also known as the nutria (Myocastor coypus).
It is a large, semi‑aquatic rodent native to South America. Adult coypus reach 40–60 cm in body length, with a weight of 5–9 kg, comparable to a small beaver. Their fur is dense and brown on the back, lighter underneath, and they possess webbed hind feet for swimming. The most distinctive feature is the long, cylindrical tail, about 20 cm long, covered with sparse hair and scales, giving it the appearance of a rodent tail rather than the flat paddle of a true beaver.
Key characteristics:
- Taxonomy: Order Rodentia, family Myocastoridae (single‑species family).
- Habitat: Freshwater marshes, riverbanks, ponds, and irrigation canals; they construct burrows with multiple entrances.
- Diet: Primarily herbivorous; consumes aquatic vegetation, grasses, roots, and crops such as rice and sugarcane.
- Reproduction: Breeds year‑round in warm climates; litters average 4–5 young after a gestation of 130 days.
- Behavior: Diurnal to crepuscular; excellent swimmers; use vocalizations and scent marking for communication.
- Differences from true beavers: Tail shape (cylindrical vs. flat), lack of large incisor‑driven tree‑cutting behavior, smaller size, and absence of dam‑building.
Geographically, coypus have been introduced to North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, where they are regarded as invasive pests due to their aggressive feeding on crops and damage to wetland vegetation. Control measures include trapping, habitat modification, and regulated hunting.