by arlene (no shame in my game) w.
Member since:
November 20, 2006

MY VISIT WITH A RAT/BEAVER THINGY

November 24, 2007 10:56 AM EST
views: 360 | rating: 10/10 (32 votes) | comments: 39

I went to the park yesterday and discovered what I first thought was a beaver until I saw his tail.  Then I thought it was a huge rat.  Come to find out, it was a nutria.  So I was right.  It was a huge rat/beaver.  It had webbed back feet and a rat tail.  It was kind of cute in an ugly sort of way.  Or maybe kind of ugly in a cute sort of way.  I really couldn't decide.

 

He seemed to fit in well with the geese but I noticed that the other nutrias kept chasing him away.  Poor fella.

 

 

Maybe they were just chasing him to take his food.

 

 

 He seemed to be sticking his tongue out at me.

 

 

 

 

Notice the webbed back feet.

 

 

 

This is the last shot I got as he suddenly ran toward me and I left in a hurry.

 

 I don't think he liked my company!
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Comments: 39

Terry S. Nov 24, 2007, 11:04am EST
Cool. Some of the best pictures I have seen of one of these. Sure has a beaver face.
I've never seen one, nor do I hope to ever encounter one. Yeek.

I really loved that last pic, though. All of mine would have looked like that.
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Nov 24, 2007, 11:15am EST
I've never heard of this animal. I would have thought I was looking at a muskrat or something. Great photos.
J W. Nov 24, 2007, 11:17am EST
nice pics
Charles D. Nov 24, 2007, 11:19am EST
That was cute!! Thanks Arlene!!!
Jerri H. Nov 24, 2007, 11:50am EST
Great shot Arlene....I bet they have a nasty bite if you tick it off ;)
JoAnne D. Nov 24, 2007, 12:12pm EST
Great pictures, thanks for sharing this lovely essay.
William M. Nov 24, 2007, 1:11pm EST
Never heard of one. Thanks for the article and photos.
Christine P. Nov 24, 2007, 1:30pm EST
I also would of thought at first it was a muskrat.
Raymond Mardo Nov 24, 2007, 2:47pm EST
Ugly in a cute sort of way LOL
Help me get a publishing deal with a 10 rating and a comment. I comment back.
Ron B. Nov 24, 2007, 4:26pm EST
Nutria are a terrible nuisance in Louisiana. The late Sherrif Lee let citizens shoot them in canals inside the city limits.
Amanda "middle of nowhere" C. Nov 24, 2007, 10:47pm EST
Good shots. I've never seen a nutria.
P C. Nov 24, 2007, 10:59pm EST
I never saw anything like that. He looked huge (for a rat/beaver thingy anyway)
Bonnie S. Nov 25, 2007, 8:48am EST
The last picture is so funny, I would have been out of there also.
Digital Diva S. Nov 25, 2007, 5:30pm EST
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha I loved the last photo.
Donald M. Nov 25, 2007, 7:04pm EST
Thanks Arlene. I had never really seen one. Had seen their eyes in the dark when I would go fishing and stay very late. But never had seen one in the daylight. It is a good thing I didnt know what they looked like then.
donna h. Nov 25, 2007, 7:44pm EST
nice pics!
Marge H. Nov 25, 2007, 9:11pm EST
I have never heard of or seen a nutria before. That last photo is funny.
Rita j. Nov 25, 2007, 10:17pm EST
He looks like a big rat
When I moved to Northern Virginia from California, I saw one of these daily out my kitchen window. I did not find out what it was until a few years after we moved back...lol
The funniest thing part is, I found out that it was a nutria by watching Bizarre Foods.
Donald M. Nov 26, 2007, 9:46pm EST
I still dont want to be up close and personal with one of those things. Good thing my fishing until midnight days are over. HUH.
☀ Aunt Shanny Nov 27, 2007, 11:41am EST
Not very cute, is it?
Elaine M. Nov 27, 2007, 5:40pm EST
LOL--I am still laughing. That would have been me running also!
Bundy P Nov 27, 2007, 6:42pm EST
We've got lots of nutria here; in fact, Paul Prudhomme was trying to introduce it as a new dish...
Curt L. Nov 29, 2007, 11:31am EST
Arlene! What a great article and photos! Sending a 10 your way!
cindy beck Dec 1, 2007, 11:57pm EST
very interesting critter
Lune Wolfsong Dec 2, 2007, 1:26pm EST
Hehe. Great pictures. We see them at the park, here, too. Rat/beaver is a good description, all right.
Wonderful little walk in the park. Great pictures...and the fun ending, though it was probably a bit dicey for you!
Ron (in complete sheeple overload) W. Dec 8, 2007, 10:11am EST
Major food source in their native habitat

On a mission, can't talk now, Trying to give fifty points (at least) to all my connections for Christmas, or whatever:

Ten unsolicited points from the world's worst connection. Merry whatever you celebrate!
Jerri H. Dec 9, 2007, 2:07pm EST
As much as I don't like rats and am thrilled you saw this thing and not me.
Lina :-p Dec 10, 2007, 2:45pm EST
wow, that's a strange looking animal! I have never seen or heard of it... Very different!

The photos are cool and educational- thanks!
Ellie !. Dec 15, 2007, 1:29pm EST
FUN! I like your last shot. Good idea to run! He probably recognized you as belonging to the species that makes fur coats out of his kind! Nutria coats used to be big.
Carrie O. Dec 21, 2007, 10:58pm EST
It looks like a muskrat. They are actually quite common around here.
Michelle P. Dec 28, 2007, 9:31am EST
hahaha! That's funny! I grew up in Houston & yep - nutria are there. We have them here in MS too.

As far a eating them - not me, no thanks. Rodent who swims...
viki b. Jan 4, 2008, 8:52am EST
LOL-that's awesome!
Rebecca C. Mar 1, 2008, 5:28pm EST
lol....I would have ran too!
Rose H. Jan 11, 2009, 1:17pm EST
Nice pictures thanks for sharing
Brian .. Feb 4, 2009, 12:15pm EST
I've only seen them in the zoo.
Rain S. Jun 28, 2009, 2:55am EDT

thanks for  comments on my photos

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