The nutria is often confused with the native North American beaver and the muskrat. You can distinguish them by these key features:
: Nutria are "intermediate" in size鈥攍arger than a muskrat but smaller than a beaver. An adult nutria typically weighs between 15 and 20 pounds. beaver rat
: Nutria have prominent, long white whiskers and a white patch on their muzzle. Both beavers and muskrats typically have black whiskers. The nutria is often confused with the native
: The most reliable indicator. Nutria have a round, hairless, rat-like tail. Beavers have a broad, flat, paddle-shaped tail, and muskrats have a thin tail that is flattened on the sides. : Nutria have prominent, long white whiskers and
: When swimming, a nutria's tail remains relatively still or drags behind. A muskrat鈥檚 tail undulates from side to side to help with propulsion. Habitat and Behavior