coypu

American  

[koi-poo] / ˈkɔɪ pu /

noun

plural

coypus,

plural

coypu

1. a large, South American, aquatic rodent, Myocastor (orMyopotamus ) coypus, yielding the fur nutria.

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coypu British  

/ ˈkɔɪpuː /

noun

1. an aquatic South American hystricomorph rodent, Myocastor coypus, introduced into Europe: family Capromyidae. It resembles a small beaver with a ratlike tail and is bred in captivity for its soft grey underfur

2. the fur of this animal

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Etymology

Origin of coypu

First recorded in 1785–95; from Latin American Spanish (Chile, Argentina) coipú, from Araucanian coipu

Example Sentences

While Luca Lorenz was photographing mute swans on an urban lake, a coypu photobombed his frame.

From BBC

Chattering squirrels, charming coypus, and tail-slapping beavers -- along with some other rodents -- have orange-brown front teeth.

From Science Daily

Known formally as Myocastor coypus and commonly called the “menace of the marsh,” nutria are bad for ecosystems.

From Washington Post

The animal, a coypu, was seen at Rozel by members of the public this week, the States said.

From BBC

Farms stock many captive-bred animals, from civets to raccoon dogs and coypu, a large rodent, often living close to livestock such as pigs, chickens and ducks.

From Nature