Beaver or Muskrat???

[Turbowolf]

Caught this little guy while at the Nisqually Wildlife refuge on a class field trip (Near the barns).

Beaver or Muskrat? I have yet to see one of them in the wild depending on which one this is...

[Dante King]

Beaver? Hard to tell, cant make out tail or teeth.

[Turbowolf]

This was all I could get ... as I was taking the shot the rest of my class was stomping down the boardwalk and it jumped into the water. Needless to say on Monday I will be discussing field ettiqutte with the group.

[IanD]

Being Canadian, I would say it is a muskrat. It appears to be sitting on a stick with no visable tail. A beaver would use its tail for balance and it would be quite clear.
Of course, this is a total guess:):):)

[Turbowolf]

OK ... according to the Lone Pine Field Guide to Mammals of the Rocky Mountains, it more likely than not was a Muskrat. (Decided to visit my Professor and borrow one of her field guides)

The body was under two feet long, and from the photo the feet appear to be partially webbed, consistent w/ a muskrat.

Thanks for the help all!

[stoneylonesome]

Yup I have to go with muskrat. Nice shot

[JTF]

Muskrat