Nutria (Coypu) at the "Fisha" River in Lower Austria

Due to the threat of humans this animal can only be found on a few places here in Austria, and they probably don't have a permanent residence in one region but wander around at tributary's of the Danube river in Lower Austria. If you are lucky and know a spot where they live you only need to wait long enough for them to come out and show themselves. They eat the base of the above-ground stems of plants, and often dig through the organic soil for roots and rhizomes to eat. Like Beavers, they are pretty shy but unlike the beaver they also leave their homes during the day, while the beaver only leaves his home during evening and in the night that makes it much harder to take pictures of it.

Nutria (Coypu) on a small swimming "Island". Picture: Florian Glechner.

So I already had the luck to take some pictures of the Nutria (Coypu) twice but till now I wasn't able to find a beaver or take a picture of it. I know a lot of places here in Linz at the danube where the beaver is living but actually I always see the trees that are eaten by a beaver (or better say chopped by a beaver) but I never saw one till now. The Nutria (Coypu) is much more photo friendly because it is awake during the day and sleeps at night.

It likes the cold water of the creek. Picture: Florian Gelchner.

Swimming Coypu. Picture: Florian Glechner.

Picture: Florian Glechner.