Beaver or something else? - S Germany (1 Viewer)

S

Sangahyando

Well-known member

• Jul 3, 2020

• #1

Saw this guy passing by in an area where beavers are apparently resident (having been observed by others, plus visible traces of tree felling activity).
The one thing that makes me a bit unsure of the ID is that the lower back is visible above the water line. I've heard that in beavers, typically only the head and shoulders show, while Coypu and other swimming rodents swim with their back well visible. Also, Coypu are resident in a place not very far away from where this animal was seen (albeit a different habitat).
The critter was at least as big as a cat, so Muskrat should be out of the question.

 

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Farnboro John

Well-known member

• Jul 3, 2020

• #2

To me the head shape says Beaver. Coypu has more of a square head. When swimming the amount of body they show is quite variable depending on what they are doing, how they are feeling and what age they are (kits tend to be more buoyant and sit higher in the water.

Cheers

John

 

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Jul 4, 2020

• #3

Muskrat are bigger than you think, I've noticed that you get a more turbulent wake from a Beaver due to the power ful tail and you can see it in my shot from Belarus.

Here's a Muskrat too (left) from my patch in Russia.

 

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Last edited: Jul 4, 2020

jurek

Well-known member

• Jul 4, 2020

• #4

Beaver for me, probably young.

Coypu has bigger and slightly bulging muzzle which is slightly longer than eyes-to-ears area, more grey fur with a whitish area around whiskers, more prominent ears, broader and more hairy naked nasal area.

All three (beaver, coypu and muskrat) occur around my place. Which parts of the body are above water is not a constant character in my experience.

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Jul 4, 2020

• #5

Beaver it is!

 

S

Sangahyando

Well-known member

• Jul 5, 2020

• #6

Thanks everyone :t:

 

opisska

rabid twitcher

• Jan 29, 2021

• #7

FWIW we think this is Coypu, probably young. The white fur around snout and yellowish around ears makes it really wrong for Beaver and the overall jizz is totally wrong for Muskrat.

Btw. we looked up a lot of pictures online and there is so much misidentification in google image results - often even when you can see the tail which is completely diagnostic between the three species.

 

Farnboro John

Well-known member

• Jan 29, 2021

• #8

opisska said:

FWIW we think this is Coypu, probably young. The white fur around snout and yellowish around ears makes it really wrong for Beaver and the overall jizz is totally wrong for Muskrat.

Btw. we looked up a lot of pictures online and there is so much misidentification in google image results - often even when you can see the tail which is completely diagnostic between the three species.

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I don't see white fur round the snout on this, just whitish reflection of light. Behind that you can see the rest of the large rubbery black bare snout: still Beaver for me.

John

 

S

Sangahyando

Well-known member

• Jan 29, 2021

• #9

Thanks both for the input.

opisska said:

Btw. we looked up a lot of pictures online and there is so much misidentification in google image results - often even when you can see the tail which is completely diagnostic between the three species.

Click to expand...

I readily believe that (it's the same story with birds, cultural artifacts, etc.), however in this case I'm inclined to stick with Beaver for the reasons John pointed out, and because beavers are resident in the area (I've seen gnawed-off trees, and the authorities had to fence off some areas doe to beaver damage), whereas I have no proof of Coypu being present, at least within a 20km radius or so.