Name:   RodBillett - Subject:   Otter or Muskrat - Probably not a Nutria Date:   4/29/2020 7:39:04 AM (updated 4/29/2020 7:39:50 AM)

Most likely it was either a Otter or a Muskrat.

Muskrats and Nutria feed on grasses and other vegitation.  Otters feed on clams and fish - and they like to leave shells on pier steps.

Nutrias get upwards of 20-25 pounds when full grown, Muskrats are quite small.  Otters are in between in size.

If it had a thin tail that "emerges" came from an ovalish body, then Id say Muskrat.  You can distinctly tell where the tail begins.  Ifif it was a large creature a Nutria as they are similar to Muskrats).   Whereas if it was a thick tail (Like a Labrador retrievers) that blends into a slender streamlined body it was an otter.  

Search Muskrat vs Otter in google and view the images tab...  There will be some good pictures there.