Myocastor coypus (coypu) is a large semi-aquatic rodent which originated from South America. However, due to escapes and releases from fur farms there are now large feral populations in North America, Europe and Asia.
Their burrows penetrate and damage river banks, dykes and irrigation facilities. Myocastor coypus’ feeding methods lead to the destruction of large areas of reed swamp. Habitat loss caused by coypus impacts plant, insect, bird and fish species.
Description:
Myocastor coypus (coypu) is a large rodent (5-9kg; 40-60cm body; 30-45cm tail), superficially ratlike, pelage brown and yellow-brown in colour with a cylindrical tail.
It has webbed hindfeet, with a footprint up to 15cm long, imprints of the web is often visible; incisors are prominent and bright orange-yellow (unlike rats which are yellow-brown), with white marks on muzzle (Woods et al. 1992, Carter and Leonard 2002). Faeces cylindrical, up to 70mm long, with fine longitudinal striations (LeBlanc, 1994).
Similar Species:
Ondatra zibethicus
More Occurs in:
coastland, lakes, riparian zones, water courses, wetlands
Habitat description:
Myocastor coypus (coypu) are generally found near permanent water, particularly reed beds and swamp/marsh. Also found in rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and brackish marsh in coastal areas.
General impacts:
Myocastor coypus (coypu) burrows undermine the banks of rivers and dykes causing instability (Carter and Leonard, 2002). Feeding on rhizomes and young shoots of marsh plants leads to plant community breakdown and can lead to erosion in coastal habitats (LeBlanc, 1994).
Coypu feeding on sea oat rhizomes in Mississippi barrier islands have led to sand dune erosion in these important habitats (GSMFC 2005). At high densities coypu are able to convert marshland to open water by feeding on plants.
Habitat destruction caused by coypu threatens rare marshland species of bird, fish and invertebrates. In Italy coypu have caused breeding whiskered tern (Chlidonias hybrida) to decline by largely destroying the cover of water-lilies Nymphaea in Valli di Argenta a designated IBA (Important Bird Area).
The habitats of two national treasure species in Japan - a critically endangered dragon fly (see Libellula angelina in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) and a fish the vulnerable deep-bodied bitterling (Shirow Tatsuzawa, pers. Comm.) are threatened by coypu. Coypu also feed on agricultural crops (Carter and Leonard 2002) including sugarcane, alfalfa and root crops (Woods et al. 1992)
Uses:
Myocastor coypus (coypu) are valued as a source of fur (Carter and Leonard 2002) and have been used as a meat source. Coypu provides prey for alligators and other native predators in some areas
Notes:
Myocastor coypus (coypu) prefer habitats near the water, animals are rarely observed over 100m away from river. Severe winter could reduce reproductive success and adult survival.
Geographical range:
Native range: Native to South America south of 23 degree latitude, including Argentina, Bolivia, southern Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay (Carter and Leonard 2002). Known introduced range: Introduced to areas of North America, Europe, Africa and Asia (Carter, 2007).
Introduction pathways to new locations:
Other: Fur farms, introduced for fur exploitation.
Local dispersal methods:
Escape from confinement: Natural dispersal (local):
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