### animal | vertebrate | mammal | rodent | muskrat:

Common muskrat
* feed extensively on broadleaf cattail roots and rhizomes.
* occupy floating freshwater marshes in southeastern Louisiana.

### animal | vertebrate | mammal | rodent:

Nutria
* also burrow into canal and road embankments, causing damage and dangerous situations
  - carry and can transmit various parasites and diseases
  - eat farm and garden crops and lawn grasses found next to water
  - sport white or light colored whiskers that beavers lack
* are South American semi-aquatic rodents similar to our native muskrat and beaver
  - active throughout the year
  - aggressive competitors with the native muskrat which is smaller
* are an invasive species in Maryland due to their destructive feeding habits on marshes
  - apt to breed in any month of the year in North America
  - aquatic by nature and live in burrows
  - herbivores, so they feed entirely on plants
  - herbivorous
  - highly prolific and breed year round
  - large rodents native to South America
* are large rodents that look like beavers with long, thin tails similar to muskrats
  - semi-aquatic rodents that resemble native beavers and muskrats
  - large, web-footed rodents that are more agile in the water than on land
  - medium sized rodents that live in freshwater environments
  - particularly fond of watermelon rinds, apples, carrots and potatoes
  - preyed upon by alligators, cottonmouth moccasins, hawks, owls and eagles
  - prolific breeders, capable of producing two litters a year
  - semi-aquatic and spend most of their time in or near the water
  - sensitive to low temperatures
  - vegetarians and they do have large appetites
  - well adapted for movement on land, however, are more at home in the water
* breed all year round, which greatly impacts their population and activity rate.
* can be rather social animals and sometimes live in large colonies, reproducing prolifically
  - damage agricultural crops and destroy water-retaining structures like dams and dikes
  - have either positive or negative values
* consume very rapidly as well.
* eat tall grasses and rush es
  - wetland plants such as Three-square rush
* feed almost entirely on vegetation
  - primarily on marsh vegetation that extends above the waterline
* generally occupies a small area throughout their lives.
* great value in a natural skin.
* have a more negative effect on the ecosystem than they're worth
  - large incisors that are yellow to orange-red on the outer surface
  - thick brown fur and orange front teeth
* look like beavers, but have long tails like rats.
* multiply rapidly and destroys marshes by eating the grass which holds the soil together.
* often build flattened circular feeding platforms of vegetation in shallow water.
* predominately feed on the base of plant stems and dig for roots and rhizomes in the winter.
* prefer to burrow on steep slopes covered with vegetation.
* reach sexual maturity at four to six months.
* rip the plant out by the root therefore making the plant unable to re-grow.
* spend most of their lives in or around water
  - much of their time in the water
* thrive in fresh or brackish marshes where there is abundant aquatic vegetation for food.
* usually have a negative impact on other wildlife species
  - dark brown fur

### animal | vertebrate | mammal | rodent | nutria:

Young nutria
* are born with hair and are fully active.
* can swim only a few hours after birth.

Other rodent
* carry dangerous diseases
* feed on tubers.
* have appearances.
* inhabit habitats.