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Muskrat

Odontra zibethicus

Photo by KatCuff
Published on Project Noah
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30.5204, -97.7353

Field Notes

Description:

at a duck pond taking pictures of ducks and dragonflies and we came across this guy who wasn't the least bit shy of us.

Habitat:

pond

Notes:

I love the shot of him scratching. He was a very interesting find.

Reference Links:

Coypu

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (18)
LisaPowers
It is a very nice series of photos you have on this species.
KatCuff
Thanks Lisa! I found a website that helps with the identification of the difference between the species and have changed my ID of this critter. http://www.cmiweb.org/nutria/ReportaNutria.asp?Report=Identification
LisaPowers
The tail appears to be rounded rather than vertically flattened, suggesting that this might be a muskrat instead.
JarréttTaylor
I live in the Austin area and I never seen these animals here, this picture really amazes me !
KatCuff
I don't know at that itch being common. This is the first and only one I've ever seen.
HemaShah
@ Kat,isn't the Nutria itch something very typical? They are infested with nematodes which gives them this typical itch.
Leuba Ridgway
interesting.. good spotting. I love pic #4. Thanks !
KatCuff
I actually hadn't realized the resemblance between the two. After looking at other pictures, I determined that resembled the nutria family more and I haven't heard about many muskrats in this area but I have heard about other sightings of the nutria, so it was a process of elimination for me. Thanks for helping me realize the resemblance/differences.
HemaShah
Yes Picture number 1 does show the orange teeth!!
HemaShah
@ Kat, How would you differentiate this from a muskrat? Nutria have orange teeth.
KatCuff
Thanks! I love that I caught him with that itch. His expression is the picture.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
2011 Best Wildlife Photo
Vanishing Pond Life of Texas

Tags

Photographed
PublishedDecember 22, 2011

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