For shelter the nutria constructs a burrow, which may be a simple tunnel or a complex system containing passages that extend 15 meters or more and chambers that hold crude nests of vegetation. The nutria also makes runways through the grass and wanders within a radius of about 180 meters of its den. Myocastor coypus is highly gregarious. Groups usually consists of 2 - 13 animals and are composed of related adult females, their offspring, and a large male. Young adult males are occasionally solitary.
Home range is fairly constant in spite of population density.
The average home range for female nutria is 2.47 ha, while for males it is 5.68 ha. Generally, nutrias remain in one area throughout their lives. The nutria inhabits marshes, lake edges, and sluggish streams, especially in areas with emergent or succulent vegetation along the banks. Positive A demand for the fur of the nutria developed in the early 19th century and has continued to the present. For this reason the nutria has been introduced almost worldwide, and the nutrias' fur soon became an important economic resource.