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Nutria also known as coypu, are large semi-aquatic rodents native to South America. They have webbed hind feet, which make them excellent swimmers.
One of the most distinctive features of the Nutria is their large orange incisors and long, rounded tails. Nutria weighs around 15-22 pounds and measure about 17 to25 inches in length, excluding the tail.
They inhabit freshwater marshes, rivers, and lakes but can also be found in brackish and saltwater environments. Although primarily herbivorous, Nutria have been known to consume small invertebrates and carrion when plant food is scarce. They naturally feed on the roots and stems of wetland plants, which can lead to erosion and destruction of marsh habitats.
Naturally, a female Nutria can breed year-round and are capable of producing multiple litters annually. This high reproductive rate contributes to their invasive personality. They have a gestation period of 127 to 135 days, producing 2 to 13 young.
An invasive species, Nutria can cause extensive damage to crops such as rice, sugarcane, and corn. Their feeding habits can destroy fields, leading to significant economic losses for farmers. Also, their burrowing can weaken irrigation systems posing a risk to flood control and water management infrastructure.
To control Nutria, several measures are taken including trapping and hunting. Farmers set live traps to control the population. Some regions offer incentives or bounties for nutria pelts to motivate hunters.
They preyed on by large birds of prey, alligators, and certain carnivorous mammals. Some chemical repellents and toxicants are also used as control measures.
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