Coypu

Scientific name: Myocastor coypus

How weight is recorded: Whole weight

Field notes

Appearance

A large, robust rodent with dark brown fur, prominent orange-yellow incisors, and a long, hairless, rat-like tail. Adults have a stocky body with hind feet larger than fore feet; males are noticeably larger than females.

Size and weight

Males 8–10 kg, females 6–8 kg; body length 40–60 cm, tail 25–45 cm.

Habitat

Coypus inhabit freshwater wetlands, marshes, swamps, and the banks of slow-moving rivers and lakes with dense emergent vegetation. They prefer areas with cattails, reeds, and aquatic plants but will exploit agricultural ditches and canal systems.

Distribution

Native to South America, coypus are now established across North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia in suitable wetland habitats, typically at low to moderate elevations with accessible water.

Diet

Coypus are herbivorous, feeding primarily on cattails, reeds, sedges, and aquatic vegetation; they will also consume agricultural crops such as rice, maize, and sugar cane when available.

Behaviour

Primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, most active from dusk through early morning. They are semi-aquatic and gregarious, often found in small family groups; they create runways and burrows in bank systems.

Hunting tips

Look for characteristic sign: 3–5 cm diameter burrow entrances at water's edge, flattened feeding platforms among vegetation, and dark, rice-grain-shaped droppings. Approach wetland margins at dawn or dusk, moving slowly along bank vegetation and open water edges. Focus on areas of fresh feeding damage and well-used runways; use cover of reeds and cattails to close distance before shooting.

Whole weight

This species is logged by whole weight — the animal weighed entire, as taken.

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 4 countries in Huntify.

Names in other languages

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.