I had never heard of nutria before I moved to Beaverton, Oregon - pretty impressive considering I lived by Lake Palestine in East Texas when I was a kid, and that lake is chock full of nutria! When I saw the nutria here I immediately loved them (although they're not exactly cute, except the babies). I was surprised that my fondness for nutria was not shared by everyone. In fact, I even heard them referred to as "gross" and as looking like "giant rats." They are not giant rats!
What is a nutria?
Nutria (Sometimes called "Coypu" - short for Myocastor coypus) are South American rodents that were brought to North America to be used in the fur trade. Accidents allowed the nutria to escape, and now they can be found in various parts of North America. They are common in Louisiana, East Texas, Maryland, Florida, and Western Oregon. In fact, nutria are now found not only in the Americas - I got an e-mail from someone in Italy telling me they lived there too! Nutria are herbivorous and semi-aquatic. They look something like beavers with a rat-like tail and grow to be roughly three feet long. Although they generally live in pairs or trios, they are not particularly territorial, and so live in close quarters with each other. They dig burrows and often make grass "roadways" and "feeding platforms." Nutria are supposed to be nocturnal, but I frequently see the local nutria during the day, particularly in cold weather when it's sunny!
Nutria are born in litters and one female may have 2-3 litters each year. They are born already furred (not naked like some other rodents) and with eyes open - they are also able to swim very soon after birth! The babies can survive on their own after only a week, but of course won't voluntarily leave their mothers this early.
Nutria Safety
Nutria rarely bother other animals, such as cats or dogs, unless those animals are stalking or harrassing them, nor are they generally dangerous to humans. But, like most animals, they will attack when trapped or frightened. Here in Beaverton, nutria usually show a certain amount of caution around people, and will leave the area if they notice that they are being watched (particularly in spots where they don't expect people to watch them.) However, in spite of their normal peacefulness, I have read reports of nutria unpredictably becoming aggressive and threatening humans. It is unknown why this happens, but all creatures have a "fight or flight" instinct, and even a nutria will attack if it feels it cannot escape or has something to protect (like it's young.)My husband and I have narrowly avoided altercations with nutria when we were walking down a pedestrian path that goes through nutria "territory" near our home. Twice now, we have had large nutria in this particular spot (and only in this spot) threaten us. A "threatening" nutria will hunch up its back in an attempt to make itself look larger. It will keep its head pointed towards you and may even rush forward at you. At the same time it makes a strange half-growl half-hissing noise that is quite unique.
If this happens to you, I suggest backing away slowly and quietly. Neither of the nutria I've been threatened by bothered us after we had moved out of its space.
On the other hand, nutria can be rather curious and quite friendly. In another spot near my home - one that is more "public" space shared with ducks and humans - large and small nutria will calmly take food from the hand, and even snuffingly investigate standing or kneeling humans. Even in this situtation I suggest maintaining a certain amount of caution - a nutria is a wild animal, and no matter how vegetarian or cute, can be startled and react on instinct. In particular, watch small children! A grown nutria on its hind legs is almost as tall as a preschooler. In search of a snack it could topple, frighten, or be frightened by a child. Also, keep in mind that nutria live "in nature" - most have parasites, including fleas.
Why does the nutria need to be defended?
Nutria are often accused of destroying marshlands with their great numbers. I am not denying this (although one could question the role of human encroachment on these habitats), but if you look at some of the literature available on the topic you'll find that the nutria is usually portrayed as some sort of evil monster, bent on world destruction. Hordes of nutria wreck havoc upon the innocent swamp, with modern man as the great Defender of the Environment. I can see the movie and matching video game tie-in (a first person shooter, no doubt, with nutria armed with little uzis...) now.The nutria is an animal and does what is natural for it. Destroying its habitat, making it impossible for it to survive, is not the nutria's goal. As a culture, we have little love for creatures that are successful and thriving. We'll spend a fortune to save the panda, but spend a little money to try to come up with a solution for the nutria "problem" other than extermination? Heaven forbid! (I have nothing against pandas, by the way.)
You don't have to love the nutria. Just consider that, in a world where most animals are going extinct at an alarming rate, the nutria has the strength to flourish. A continent away from their original home, they are swimming the storm drains of Beaverton, Oregon. Shouldn't we have a little respect for that?
| Nutria Poll Results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Question: Are nutria cute? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Walker's Mammals of the World, Fifth Edition, volume II. Ronald M. Nowak. The John Hopkins University Press: Baltimore. 1991.
A Guide to the Mammals of the Southeastern United States. Larry N. Brown. The University of Tennessee Press: Knoxville. 1997.
If you know of any articles or more info on nutria please let me know!
Disclaimer: I am not an expert on nutria. All information on this site could be mistaken. If you need to be certain, check an official source first! Also, although I love getting e-mail, I'm afraid I'm not qualified to give you advise about nutria care or removal. Sorry...
Copyright: Everything on this site is copyrighted to myself. All rights reserved. That includes the photos, which I took. If you want to use them, ask first. If you want to quote me, ask first. Contact Me.