Unidentified mammal

salangoney · #1 (**permalink**) 14-03-2009, 05:29 PM

This mammal had short legs, moved slowly, is about the size of a large rabbit and I thought it was an otter until I saw it's rat like tail. It was honey brown and I didn't see the shape of it's head. I think it came out of a hole next to a pond in our woodland. I am mystified. Please make suggestions if you can.

Garden Carpet · #2 (**permalink**) 14-03-2009, 05:54 PM

Hi salangoney, if by rat-like you mean it had a bald tail, then it probably was a large (very large

)rat. Neither henrya nor I can think of anything which would have a bald tail.

Welcome to WAB by the way

jaki

Hedge Witch · #3 (**permalink**) 14-03-2009, 06:01 PM

Hi, welcome to WAB from me too.

I agree that the most likely mammal is a rat, without any other evidence to the contrary

Hedge

Jim Ford · #4 (**permalink**) 14-03-2009, 06:07 PM

Coypu?

It shouldn't be because whilst they were introduced here I understand they'd been exterminated.

Google Image Result for http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/sharemed/targets/images/pho/t047/T047084A.jpg

Jim

Hedgehoggy · #5 (**permalink**) 14-03-2009, 06:12 PM

A coypu fits the description

Have there been any sightings of these in the UK in recent times?

Salongoney, google coypu images and see what you think.

EDIT: you posted while I was typing my reply Jim!

Jim Ford · #6 (**permalink**) 14-03-2009, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hedgehoggy

you posted while I was typing my reply Jim!

Sorry Hedgehoggy, I'll take more care next time!
;^)

Jim

Hedgehoggy · #7 (**permalink**) 14-03-2009, 06:26 PM

Just type a bit slower in future!!

ron1863 · #8 (**permalink**) 14-03-2009, 06:27 PM

The Coypu was eradicated from Norfolk in 1987,I wonder if any survived. There are still Wallabies around in Derbyshire and Argyll in Scotland.

Hedgehoggy · #9 (**permalink**) 14-03-2009, 07:42 PM

Just found this DEFRA/Natural England exotic species reportings link, which includes data from 2001 to 2007:

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/Ima..._tcm6-4154.pdf

Several reports of coypu sightings, but investigations are mostly reported as inconclusive, one sighting confirmed as possible Chinese Water Deer, one sighting with evidential photo reported as very large rat and one captured and killed 'coypu' was an otter.

Check out the number of big cat sightings reported! One sighting of a big cat which was captured and killed is reported as 'supports report but not conclusive'!?

camo · #10 (**permalink**) 14-03-2009, 08:03 PM

Hi

Having seen a a coypu when they were around they appeared substantially bigger than a Rabbit and I doubt very much if any are around.

A hole near water may mean it has a section under water and therefore a a normally furry tail can look thin. In this case it may suggest a Mink however it would be noticable by its rich dark brown colour. I would not rule out Stoat, Weasel or Pole cat all fit the size bracket. I am not convinced Salangoney said it had a naked tail did S mean long and thin or naked.

If it was naked then Rat it must be.

Roy