A case of mistaken identity - the capybara and the coypu
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (352360)
Rockingham, Australia
June 27, 2019 7:54am CST
I muddled my facts with my last discussion and accidentally posted a photo of a coypu saying it was a capybara. My apologies - and thanks to Owl About myLot(@owlwings) for pointing out the error. I thought I should give a few details about each here then my conscience will be clear(er).
Both the coypu (also known as the nutria)(Myocastor coypus) and the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) are native to South America but have been introduced into Europe and Asia where they are regarded as invasive pests in some areas. Both are classified as rodents and are semi-aquatic.
The coypu has a tail like a rat and looks like a small beaver or very large rat. They grow to 40 to 60cm (body length) with the tail adding another 30 to 45cm. Adults weigh from 5 to 9 kg. The incisors are large and a bright orange-yellow and there is a whitish patch on the muzzle. The hind feet are webbed. They consume 25% of their body weight in vegetation each day.
The capybara is much larger and weighs between 35 and 66 kg. They are gentle and easily tamed. They have thin coarse hair and are good swimmers, able to stay submerged for up to five minutes. Unlike the coypu, it doesn't have a tail.
The top photo is of a capybara courtesy of VigilancePrime at English Wikipedia the lower photo was taken by Vince in the Czech Republic and is a coypu or nutria.
South America has some intriguing animals which probably aren’t commonly known.
20 people like this
18 responses
@LadyDuck (473566)
• Switzerland
28 Jun 19
@JudyEv Yes, they are present in all Swiss territory and we have many here in canton Ticino. They are monitored because they reproduce quickly and they are an invasive species. Back in times the Nutria fur was very common, in our days women do not wear furs anymore.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109845)
• Los Angeles, California
27 Jun 19
They look like gator/croc snacks!
3 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (115454)
• Marion, Ohio
27 Jun 19
They look a lot alike without the tail.
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39504)
• United States
27 Jun 19
they do look purty similar :) i believe i've seen one'f these't a zoo?? i only recall such coz't first glance i thought 'twas what a huge guinea pig, lol.
lots 'f interestin' critters out'n the world, most discovered e'ery day't seems. thanks fer updatin' 'n claryifin', ms. judy.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39504)
• United States
29 Jun 19
@JudyEv i've my fingers crossed such'd be true here. perhaps i ought'a concentrate some 'fforts to make that change if'n not?? these ya jest find layin' out'n the hot sun, meltin' 'r they're'n their "housing".
one'd think vienna'd give a bit more care than that? i jest dunno why folks think such's acceptable? poor critters. 'lways saddened me to go to the one here coz 'f 't.
@JudyEv (352360)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jun 19
@crazyhorseladycx Our zoo is much improved from the old days with much more natural settings for the animals. Of course, it does mean that they sometimes can't be seen as they hide behind the bushes or stones but that's okay. I found the zoo in Vienna pretty depressing. Nothing much seems to have changed there. Still lots of cages with cement floors, etc.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61406)
• United States
28 Jun 19
OKay without a tail it is a lot less rat-like and quite cute.
1 person likes this
. I knew they are the largest rodents, but other than that I know nothing. Still, they look nice in the pictures 
.
@DocAndersen (54400)
• United States
27 Jun 19
I love the many animals of South America! Great piece thanks for sharing~
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (352360)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jun 19
@DocAndersen That would be very special.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54400)
• United States
28 Jun 19
@JudyEv I've had many chances to see them, at a distance. It is always interesting to see animals in their native habitat!
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (188808)
• United States
27 Jun 19
I don't think I ever heard of either of them, prior to this discussion, although I might have seen one at a zoo somewhere and forgot it. That is probably more likely.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (352360)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jun 19
I would like to visit there one day but I doubt it will happen now.
@garymarsh6 (23409)
• United Kingdom
27 Jun 19
I read your post they do look very similar. You also have some intriguing animals in Australia. I must say I have never seen them here in the UK apart from at the zoo perhaps!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (352360)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jun 19
Yes, I suppose our animals are just as intriguing to those in other countries but perhaps there are more photos floating around of kangaroos, etc. You rarely see anything about the South American fauna except perhaps for llamas and alpacas.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (352360)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jun 19
For a long time I had no idea these existed. Like you, animals from other countries interest me greatly.
