I thought it was a beaver

Surprise! It is a nutria according to SEEK. I've never seen one before. We went for a walk in Nags Head Woods and the last pond by the center was occupied by this guy munching something. 
The extra is  a spicebush  swallowtail . I also caught a lovely shot of a robber fly ( yuk)  and a wood nymph and several dragonflies. All of the birds were up in the canopy and few were talking! It was very hot and very humid though.