What animal native to Arkansas is shaped like a beaver but has a long furry tail?

Answer 1

Person who asked the question was probably thinking of either a muskrat or an otter. Both are found throughout much of the US and certainly in Arkansas. Muskrats resemble beavers in many ways. Like beavers, muskrats are semi-aquatic, living in and around streams and marshy areas and creating lodge-like homes. Muskrats also look a lot like beavers and are often seen swimming in ponds and streams like beavers. There are some subtle differences in their looks, including color and size. For example, muskrats are smaller than beavers, but that's not too helpful if you don't have one of each side by side. The most unambiguous distinction is in the tail. Beavers have wide, flat tails, and muskrats have long, relatively skinny, rat-like tails. If you get a good look at the tail, identification is easy. Otters are another species that look like beavers, especially if you only see them in the water.