The Nutria, a Rodent Promoted as ‘Guilt-Free Fur’ - The New York Times The New York Times Fashion & Style |Is Their Pest Your Clean Conscience? Search Is Their Pest Your Clean Conscience? ANNA JANE GROSSMAN Continue reading the main story Photo Xiomara del Carmen helped Ana Lodriguss prepare for a nutria fashion show in New Orleans. Credit Jennifer Zdon for The New York Times TREATING nutria as a kind of “guilt free” fur is tough when you’re cutting the pelt and fur gets caught in your eyes. That’s what Micha Michelle Melancon, a fashion designer in New Orleans, found out when she was making a cloak from what is commonly known as a swamp rat. “This is an animal,” Ms. Melancon said, after her work space became filled with fluffy piles of excess fur. “A soft, furry, once-living-and-breathing being.” But unlike other soft and furry animals, nutria is being rebranded as a socially acceptable and environmentally friendly alternative way to wear fur. The effort culminates this Sunday, when Ms.

Melancon and about 20 designers take part in a “righteous fur” fashion show at the House of Yes, an art space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Fluffy hats, muffs, leg warmers and even a wedding dress will be paraded down the runway, in a show expected to draw about 150 people. Don’t look for any celebrities in the front row. A reporter from National Geographic and someone who works at Marc Jacobs are among the expected V.I.P.’s. Photo Aura Fedora wore a nutria shawl designed by Jessica Radcliffe. Credit Jennifer Zdon for The New York Times But Nutria-palooza, as the show is being called, is not just about fashion. The main sponsor is the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program, a nonprofit conservation group in Thibodaux, La., that works to preserve the 4.2-million-acre swamp in southern Louisiana that is being threatened by the furry critter. Continue reading the main story As any resident of Louisiana knows, nutria is a herbivorous rodent, about half the size of a beaver, that is native to South America.

The animals were shipped to fur farmers in the United States as early as the 19th century, and some eventually escaped into the Louisiana swamps. At first, the population was kept in check by fur trappers and a marketplace that prized the exotic fur. Hollywood starlets like Greta Garbo were fans of nutria coats. Advertisement Continue reading the main story But when the fur market started to founder in the 1980s, the nutria population soared and started to endanger the fragile ecosystem. The invasive rodent eats away the bottom of the plants that hold the coastal wetlands together. In 2002, Louisiana started paying trappers and hunters $5 for every nutria killed. The effort to control the nutria population had some success, with bounty hunters killing about 400,000 animals last year. But the carcasses were simply discarded or left to rot in the swamp. Photo Billy Reid used nutria in his recent collection. Credit Mimi Ritzen Crawford/Getty Images That’s when Cree McCree, an environmentalist and designer from New Orleans, came up with her fashion idea.

Instead of wasting all that fur, she wanted to market nutria as a “guilt-free fur that belongs on the runway instead of at the bottom of the bayou,” she said. “If they’re being killed anyway,” she added, “then why not make something beautiful out of them?” Last year, using a grant from the estuary foundation, Ms. McCree founded Righteous Fur, a line of products made with the carcasses’ leftovers. That not only includes the soft brown fur, but also the animal’s signature orange teeth, which she caps with sterling silver and sells as necklaces for $85. Ms. McCree has held three nutria fashion shows in New Orleans in the last year, but the New York event, she said, will help push her campaign to the next level. Photo Nutria have been destroying plants vital to Louisiana swamps. Credit Robin Loznak, The News-Review, via Associated Press Indeed, nutria has been having a moment.

Designers like Billy Reid (who recently won a major fashion award; see Front Row, Page 4), Michael Kors and Oscar de la Renta have incorporated nutria lining or trim in recent collections, and the fur has shown up on Etsy, the online store that specializes in handmade and vintage crafts, in the form of merkins — triangular patches sewn onto flesh-colored panties. The New York show will highlight creative uses of nutria fur. Alicia Zenobia, a young designer working in Brooklyn and New Orleans, will present a cocktail dress trimmed with strips of nutria and tiny bejeweled skulls made of clay. Her model will wear a black-and-white wig that looks like Cruella De Vil’s hair. Advertisement Continue reading the main story José Luis Rodriguez, a Venezuelan dancer who makes leather accessories in Louisiana, will show an evening gown and shoulder bag made with a patchwork of nutria hides. And Dana Embree, a costume designer in New Orleans who has worked on several movies and television shows, plans to go retro with a 1960s-style mini brocade halter dress with fur collar and gloves.

“I’m not like a PETA person, but still, I had to take a deep breath now and then,” Ms. Embree said. “I’d never worked with something that had eye holes.” Despite the nature of the fashion show, no PETA protests are expected. But that’s probably because nutria is still on the fringes. Advocates of nutria fur, meanwhile, are sticking to their eco-friendly message: it’s a fur coat, yes, but the animal had a cage-free life and an organic diet. Jessica Radcliffe, a New Orleans dollmaker and performance artist, won’t use leather in her work but has made several nutria stoles. “I personally don’t want to be in a position where I have to kill an animal,” she said. “But if it’s them or us, I don’t want to be a lily-livered sissy about it.” Correction: December 9, 2010 A picture caption on Nov. 18 with an article about the use of nutria pelts in fashion misspelled the given name of a fashion designer. She is Xiomara del Carmen, not Ziomara. Correction: December 2, 2010 An article on Nov.

18 about the use of nutria pelts in fashion misidentified the conservation group in Thibodaux, La., that was the main sponsor of a nutria fashion show on Nov. 21. It is the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program — not the Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary Foundation, a separate group. A version of this article appears in print on November 18, 2010, on Page E9 of the New York edition with the headline: Nutria-Palooza: Is Their Pest Your Clean Conscience?. Order Reprints | Today's Paper | Subscribe coypu - definition and meaning coypu Definitions from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition n. A large aquatic South American rodent (Myocastor coypus) having webbed feet and a long tail. Also called nutria. from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License n.

A large, crepuscular, semiaquatic rodent (Myocastor coypus) resembling a large rat, having bright orange-yellow incisors, native to South America, Europe, Asia and North America, valued for its fur in eastern Europe and central Asia and considered a pest elsewhere. from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English n. A South American rodent (Myopotamus coypus), allied to the beaver. It produces a valuable fur called nutria. from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. n. aquatic South American rodent resembling a small beaver; bred for its fur Etymologies from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition American Spanish coipú, from Araucanian kóypu. from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License Spanish coipú, from Mapudungun koypu. Examples They are also known as coypu, Greek for mouse and beaver and the preferred designation of biologists.

Coypu Lets have a look at some biology: Size: The Coypu is about 1 metre (39 inches) in length from the end of it's muzzle to the tip of it's round scaly tail. The tail alone accounts for about one third of it's length. It has short rounded ears, and small eyes that are set high on the head (like those of a beaver) so that it can see clearly whilst swimming. Weight: Adult males weigh about 7kg (15.5lbs) though some have known to reach 9kgs with the female about 1kg lighter. Colour: The coypu's fur is specially adapted to keep it warm and dry in winter. Long, coarse guard hairs conceal and protect the soft velvety under fur. This under fur, known as nutria (Spanish for otter) in the fur trade, is the reason why the coypu was bred in this country. The general colour of the coypu's guard hairs is dark reddish or yellowish brown, masking the slate grey nutria. The tip of its muzzle and chin have white hairs and whiskers. Breeding Season: Breeding is continuous throughout the year.

Gestation Period: This lasts for four and a half months. Number of litters/Year: Working out the sums...only two. No of young/litter: This is usually 2 - 9 per litter. Food: This animal eats plants, including; grasses, sedges, reeds, water parsnip, reed -mace and even water lilies. Predators: The young are taken by foxes, stoats, dogs etc. Distribution: East Anglia. One sign that coypus are about is their burrows. These are often made in ditches or soak-dykes that lie behind many of the raised banks in the Norfolk Broads, and sometimes extend for 5 metres or more. The burrow entrance is usually at river level and there may be more than one exit, the first leading onto the land and others leading back into the water. Coypus usually emerge from their burrows and become active just before sunset, returning underground again just before sunrise. In Britain they do feed during the day which is not the case in S. America.

Within their home range the establish continuous runways through the vegetation on which they feed, eventually circling back to the water again - still under cover of the vegetation. On land they move slowly, with a crouching gait. But if disturbed they will bound away rapidly. The picture above shows mum and baby for, like rabbits, coypu are prolific breeders. Their gestation period however is long for a rodent. From above it lasts for four and a half months, so just two litters a year are produced. Each litter consists of from two to nine young which are born fully furred and with their eyes open, a distinct advantage. They can move about within a few hours of birth. Longer gestation times in the animal kingdom usually mean that the young are more prepared to face the world when they are born. This is not the case with a human because our systems are more complicated and also human babies need the time with their parents to learn as they grow and to program the brain. The mother coypus nipples are situated high on the sides of her body so the young can ride on her back and suckle while she is in the water. On land they feed on either side of their mother as she lies on her stomach.

The young are weaned after seven or eight weeks, but mature at different times, depending on sex. The females are sexually mature when three to five months and the males when five to seven months old. The adults have only man to fear, or sometimes dogs, the young can fall prey to foxes, weasels, stoats, otters, brown rats, dogs, owls, herons and hawks. Similarly, although a cold winter may take a heavy toll of young coypus - they die of starvation and exposure - nearly all of the adults survive. The population is reduced or contained because the females abort their litters in a severe winter; after losing a litter in this way a female will not bear young again until the following June or July. I have since been informed by: Paul Cantwell Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Rural Development Service (RDS) "That MAFF as it was then (which has now been superseded by DEFRA) were successful in eradicating East Anglia of Coypu in December 1989. There have been no confirmed reports of Coypu in the Wild since that time".

Sorry about that folks...but you never know there maybe one skulking around somewhere.. About Nutria Nutria are one of the biggest culprits of wetland loss in Louisiana and other US wetlands. These semi-aquatic, otter-like mammals are responsible for the destruction of approximately 100,000 acres of critical marsh habitat between 1993 to 2001. Like most invasive species, Nutria not only destroy habitat but also impact native species such as otter, muskrat, beaver, birds, crustaceans, and fish—all of whom rely on healthy wetlands. About Nutria THE NAME The generic name “Nutria” is derived from two Greek words (mys, for mouse, and kastor, for beaver) that translate as mouse beaver. The specific name coypus is the Latinized form of coypu, a name in the language of the Araucanian Indians of south-central Chile and adjacent parts of Argentina for an aquatic mammal that was possibly this species. In most of the world the animal is called coypu, but in North America the common name is nutria.

South Louisianians frequently mispronounced the name as “nutra” or “neutral.” Nutria are so omnipresent in wetlands that some people do not realize they are an invasive, non-native” species that destroys marsh. WHAT IS AN INVASIVE SPECIES? Invasive species have been characterized as a “catastrophic wildfire in slow motion.” Thousands of non-native invasive plants, insects, fish, mollusks, crustaceans, pathogens, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals (like Nutria) have infested hundreds of millions of acres of land and water across the nation, causing massive disruptions in ecosystem function, reducing biodiversity, and degrading ecosystem health in our forests, prairies, mountains, wetlands, rivers, and oceans. Invasive organisms affect the health of not only these environments but also of wildlife, livestock, fish, and humans. A species is considered invasive if it meets these 2 criteria: 1.It is nonnative to the ecosystem under consideration, and 2.Its introduction causes, or is likely to cause, economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. This definition is derived from a Presidential Executive Order issued February 3, 1999.

NUTRIA ARE NOT RATS Because of the shape of their tail, some people mistakenly call Nutria “swamp rats.” Nutria are of the taxonomic order “Rodentia,” as are about 40% of all mammals including squirrels, beavers, guinea pigs, rats, and mice. They are most closely related to porcupines or South American capybaras. All rodents are characterized by a single pair of continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaw that must be kept short by gnawing. The order “Rodentia” comes from the Latin rodere (gnaw). DESCRIPTION Nutria are smaller than a beaver but larger than a muskrat with prominent yellow incisors and long white whiskers. Males are slightly larger then females weighing an average of 12 pounds (5.4 kg). The forelegs are exceedingly efficient at excavating marsh roots, rhizomes, and burrowing. WHERE DO NUTRIA COME FROM? The Nutria’s original range was South America and included Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. HOW DID THEY GET HERE? Nutria were intentionally brought to America for fur ranching.

During World War II fur prices collapsed and many ranchers lost interest. The animals were released and/or escaped into marshes where they quickly became established. Nutria are very adaptable and are currently reported in 18 states across the U.S. They wreak havoc to ecosystems wherever they go. RATE OF REPRODUCTION Nutria are highly prolific and breed year round. Litters average four to five however, they can have up to thirteen young per litter and three litters per year. Add to this the fact that young are born fully furred and active—able to swim and destroy marsh within five days of birth. As an example of their proliferation: in 1938, 20 individual nutria were introduced into Louisiana and within 20 years, the nutria population exceed 20 million animals. By 1962, Nutria had replaced the native muskrat as the leading furbearer in Louisiana. WHAT DO NUTRIA EAT? Nutria are vegetarian and consume approximately 25 percent of their weight daily. They predominately feed on the base of plant stems and dig for roots and rhizomes in the winter. Over 60 Louisiana plant species are consumed by Nutria.

Being “generalists,” there’s not much they won’t eat. Nutria will also happily consume agricultural crops like rice and sugarcane. Their messy feeding habits make them particularly wasteful as they only consume 10% of what they cut down. WHAT HABITAT DO NUTRIA LIVE IN? Nutria inhabit fresh, intermediate, and brackish marshes, rivers, bayous, farm ponds, freshwater impoundments, swamps and various other types of wetlands. ARE NUTRIA JUST A PROBLEM FOR LOUISIANA? The National Wetlands Research Center has documented nutria in all but a handful of US states. They are also well into some Canadian regions and on the Rio Grand in Mexico. Internationally, nutria have been established in Africa, East Asia, Europe, Central Asia and Middle East. In all instances when nutria have escaped or been released into non-native habitats, destruction ensues. CAN HUMANS EAT NUTRIA? The world-wide trend to consume invasive species (as opposed to poisoning or wasting them) has gained momentum.

Bizarre Foods star Andrew Zimmern, Eat the Invaders conservation biologist Joe Roman, and Eating Aliens author Jackson Landers have all shared the positive and delicious aspects of eating invasive species like nutria. Gastronauts Curtis Calleo and Ben Pauker’s innovative “Eating Club” put on a Cajun feast in Los Angeles that featured nutria. Building markets and appetites around invasive species like nutria, carp, and lionfish help curb their relentless population growth. “The invasivore movement has caught fire. Some of the worst invaders, like gypsy moths and Asian long-horned beetles, will not grace lunch counters anytime soon, yet where perniciousness meets deliciousness, there is hope.” Rowan Jacobsen writes about Bun Lai and Joe Roman in April’s Outside Magazine. So heck yeah, humans can eat nutria. IMPACT The biggest impact made by Nutria is to marsh. They can quickly convert productive grassy marsh into unproductive open water by attacking the very structure that holds the marsh together, the vegetative root mat. Once Nutria chew through a mat and expose mud, tidal currents and wave action lead to erosion. The pitted marsh surface sinks and vegetation is lost to flooding.

Areas destroyed by nutria become permanent, open water ponds called “eat outs.” The swim canals are called “runs.” The photo at the top of this page illustrates Nutria destruction. On the upper right we see an “island” of fenced marsh and damage caused by Nutria all around it. Because the roots are destroyed, the marsh will only come back if replanted. Nutria also compete for habitat and food with native mammals like muskrat, beaver, and otter; destroy crops like sugar cane and rice; and compromise levees, dikes, roads, and banks by burrowing. NUTRIA POPULATION CONTROL STRATEGY In 2002, the Coastwide Nutria Control Program was implemented to reduce the Nutria population (and its impact on marsh). The program, supported by CWPPRA (Coastal Wetlands Planning Protection and Restoration Act), has shown significant progress. It consists of an economic incentive payment per nutria delivered by registered participants to collection centers established in coastal Louisiana. The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries implement and license harvesters during regulated seasons. The goal of the Program is to encourage the harvest of Nutria from coastal Louisiana thereby reducing damage to marsh.

Unfortunately, only a small percentage of harvested Nutria are utilized in any manner—leaving this otherwise high-quality protein source to go to waste. In response, Marsh Dog created its line of dog products made with wild Nutria. Utilizing an invasive species that is already being harvested to control its impact on wetlands is about as sustainable as it gets. Organizations such as The Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program support educational and environmental initiatives aimed at Nutria control, education, and wetland conservation. Marsh Dog is honored to be a recipient of a BTNEP grant. Nutria, Nutria Pictures, Nutria Facts - National Geographic Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man Please add a "relative" entry to your dictionary. Nutria are large, web-footed rodents that are more agile in the water than on land. They live in burrows, or nests, never far from the water. Nutria may inhabit a riverbank or lakeshore, or dwell in the midst of wetlands. They are strong swimmers and can remain submerged for as long as five minutes. Nutria (also called coypu) are varied eaters, most fond of aquatic plants and roots.

They also feast on small creatures such as snails or mussels. Nutria can be rather social animals and sometimes live in large colonies, reproducing prolifically. Females have two or three litters every year, each consisting of five to seven young. These animals mature quickly and remain with their mothers for only a month or two. In some areas, booming nutria populations have become troublesome as the animals develop a taste for farm fare. The nutria's yellow or brown outer hair looks shaggy and unappealing, but it covers a lush fur undercoat, also called nutria, that is popular for use in clothing. Nutria are farmed and trapped for this fur. Nutria once lived only in southern South America, but they have been domesticated as fur animals and transplanted around the world. In many areas, including Canada and more than a dozen U.S. states, fur farm escapees quickly establish large wild populations near their new homes. How to Get Rid of Nutrias Advice and professional help for nutria problems. How to Get Rid of Nutrias The nutria, or coypu as it is also known, is not a native to North America.

Unfortunately, these animals that were once brought over with the intention of farming them for the fur trade have adapted amazingly well to the environment they found themselves in. Nutria are so acclimated now that they have become a nuisance animal on an extremely large scale in certain areas of the country. Herbivores, these animals feed on important wetland grasses and have wipe out hundreds of thousands of acres of protected wetlands in the south. Not only do coypus eat the vegetation needed to prevent erosion, they are extensive burrowers and often compromise the integrity of water dikes and levees with their tunnel systems. Nutria are not to be mistaken for muskrats. Both rodents have similar appearances, but the coypu has a rounded tail and the muskrat’s is flat. Need nutria removal in your hometown? Click here for my nationwide list of hundreds of wildlife removal experts , serving all 50 states! Updated year 2017. Deterrent Tactics: To get rid of nutria you’ll have to venture into its territory. This can mean wading into swamps and other watery areas. Accessibility is a big component to successful nutria removal.

If you cannot get into the area where the coypus are living, employing the use of floating rafts with set traps can be helpful. Nutria are not yard pests, so many of the deterrents on the market are not applicable to this animal. There are no decoys, chemical deterrents, or predator-based methods to eliminate this rodent. Property owners are not allowed to poison nutria, though licensed professional are given that option if they feel the situation warrants it. For the average person, most departments of wildlife control recommend the use of a fence to exclude coypus from your property. This fence needs to be buried at least a foot underground to prevent burrowing beneath it. It is also advised that the top portion be electrified and turned on at dawn and dusk when the rodents are most active. If you have a vast property this isn’t a very cost effective method of control. Contouring your banks to prevent burrows is also an option, but again, this will require the use of heavy machinery which may not be able to reach the problem habitats. Improving drainage is always an option as long as the body of water being affected isn’t a vital part of a large ecosystem.

Nutria Trapping: For most people, trapping and removing nutria is the most logical control method. Some states protect these animals because of their status as furbearing. Prior to trapping nutria, make sure you contact your local fish and game commission to see what permits and licenses are required. Once you know you are in the clear, decide if you wish to live trap or lethally trap the nutria. Often, when an animal is sizeable enough to warrant either type of trap, the number of creatures ultimately decides which method will be most effective. Live trapping is very good for one or two problem animals. If you have a large population of coypus, lethal trapping may be the most effective means of removal. Given the nuisance concerns surrounding nutria, live trapping and relocation is not always advised. Like most semi-aquatic animals, nutria can be trapped using leg hold traps like coilspring and longspring which are the most commonly used. These leg hold traps are placed near baited areas, often inside the pathways and channels created by frequent coypu usage. Drowning sets and body gripping traps are placed in areas of deeper water where the nutria must swim to get into runs and channels.

Both types of traps should be pre-baited prior to be set. Nutria are particularly fond of watermelon rinds, apples, carrots and potatoes. These bait foods are also vital for use with zinc phosphide, the only approved nutria toxicant available. Aside from trapping, shooting is considered an acceptable method of nutria control. Many areas have special shooting locations and season for harvesting coypus. Regardless of the nuisance and environmental concerns surrounding this non-native species, the revenue generated by nutria trapping and shooting is well into the multimillion dollar range annually. NUTRIA BIOLOGY AND INFORMATION: Nutria Appearance: Often confused with the muskrat, nutrias are larger, with round tails. They are not, however, as large as beavers, growing to be approximately fifteen pounds at three feet long. Nutrias are easily identified by a white patch of hair around their mouths as well as by their bright orange teeth. Like other semi-aquatic animals, nutrias are often brown, and their fur was once highly sought after. Similar to the coat of an otter, nutrias have a fine layer of fur guarded by a coarse layer on top providing insulation.

They have five toes on each paw, and the front feet are well designed for burrowing. The hind legs are longer than the front and boast webbed digits for better mobilization in the water. The nose and mouth of the nutria can be closed off while swimming underwater to prevent liquid intake. Another name for the nutria is coypu. Nutria Habitat and Behavior: Coypus are impressive burrowers, creating a network of tunnels in and out of embankments, though above-ground areas for grooming are often seen. They are semi-aquatic, and will build their homes off the edge of a river or stream. Burrow systems can range up to fifty feet in length and will usually house a family group of coypu rodents. Families are mostly female with one adult male. Young males will live alone until they can procure a mate and start their own family group. They prefer fresh water, though they will occupy man-made basins and canals. The nutria cannot tolerate cold temperatures like its cousin, the muskrat, so its distribution is not as widespread. Native to South America, it was brought north with the hope of raising the animal for food and fur purposes.

When the fur trade for coypu pelts went under, hundreds of the animals were released into the wild. Nutrias do not breed as abundantly as many other rodents. Females will give birth up to twice yearly, with offspring numbering around six. At four months of age, the coypu young are ready to breed on their own. At this age, males will move out and create their own nests. Burrows may be small at first, but will eventually grow to have multiple exits as well as intersecting tunnels. On occasion, groups of nutrias will migrate in cold weather. They are prone to frost bite on their tails, and the loss of a tail would result in an untimely death. When migrating, the animals appear awkward on the land, walking with a hunched posture due to longer hind legs. If threatened, they are surprisingly fast, and can move across dry land efficiently. Nutria Diet: Nutrias are herbivores. They feed on a variety of aquatic plants. In rare instances they will feed on mussels and bird eggs. Bark and roughage is a staple of the nutria’s diet.

Like all rodents, the front teeth grow continuously and must be kept at a reasonable length for the animal to be able to survive. Nutria Nuisance Concerns: Nutrias are not native to many parts of the world, and because of this invasive habitat change, they have caused widespread destruction through predation of vegetation. Coypus have devastated acres of wetlands. They eradicated the grasses needed to delay erosion in areas of the Louisiana coast, destroying over one hundred thousand acres of wetlands. In addition of wiping out species of aquatic grasses, the nutrias also destroyed eggs and nests of endangered birds. The coypu population in Louisiana alone was over two million at the height of the problem. Bounties were placed on nutria pelts to help quell the invasion of these rodents. Nutria Diseases: The most common disease associated with nutria is caused by strongyloides myopotami. This is nematode which causes “nutria rash” in people who handle the rodent. In reality, the rash is the nematode entering the skin and being attacked by the immune system. These rodents also carry leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, and a host of other intestinal parasites.

SOME SPECIFIC NUTRIA AREAS OF INTEREST: How To Get Rid Of Nutria In Your Yard Though the nutria is not an animal that is considered a high risk as a pest, they do in some rare cases become annoyances. They can invade the yard if they find a source of food. If you have a plant like bamboo for example you may find it damaged one day because nutria can chew on it. Depending on the actual size of the nutria they may not even be deterred by dogs and traps may not be easy to find if at all. So how do you get rid of nutria in your yard? First you need to know what the incentive they have to come to the yard is and then remove it. If you are planning to trap the nutria or to use any other removal methods you should first become familiar with the laws regarding nutria in your area. Because they are an animal used for its fur there may be regulations on them or you may get paid for ‘harvesting’ them. Make sure to check into it as knowing what you can do can help you get rid of them quicker. How To Get Nutria From Your Basement Nutria in your basement can be one big scary surprise.

Nutria is not the type of animal you would expect to find in your basement because of its size, but the river rat will get in there and when that happens, you need to know how to get it out. The first thing to know is that you should not try to handle nutria with your bare hands. The rodent could bite and an infection can set which can become dangerous. The best thing to do to get the nutria out is to do so by using traps. When you look for traps it is important that you get the right size and bait. The size should be about 9x9 and about 32 inches deep. If the nutria is a bigger size then a bigger trap is needed. As far as the bait goes, you will need to place some inside the trap and some on the way leading to it. Some of the best bait that you could use to entice nutria is a combination of carrots and sweet potatoes. The traps are humane and depending on what you will be doing with the nutria you may decide to humanely dispose of them as well. Do not release them without checking with your local laws as they are a severe pest in most areas with a population.

How To Get Rid Of Nutria In Your River Banks If you have nutria in your river banks it can quickly become a pest that extends outside of the river and into your yard. They can reproduce fast and they can then cause damage to your yard and garden. Unfortunately there are also rules and laws that you have to know before you attempt to capture or move nutria; luckily most of them are favorable to you. Because you have them in your river bank it will be easier if they have just arrived. Giving Nutria a couple of months will make catching all of them almost impossible. So what is the best way to get rid of nutria in your river banks? If it is ok for you to trap and transport the nutria in your community, then the best thing to do would be to use traps. Traps must be gotten according to the size and the number of nutria that you are trying to catch. The bait of fresh fruits or vegetables can be used. Make sure to check with local laws as many areas want these pest animals removed. They are a fur-bearing animal so in some cases you would receive money for their tails or hides. What Diseases Do Nutria Carry?

One of the reasons that animal control professionals recommend that you do not touch nutria is because they can carry diseases which can in some cases be transmitted to humans. The first thing to remember is that nutrias are rodents and therefore they can get diseases which most rodents are exposed to. The first disease to be discussed is the nutria-itch or swimmer’s itch, which is transmitted through blood flukes and parasites. Scientists also believe that nutria can infect humans with a host of diseases, but the research is not complete as of yet on some of them. One of the biggest concerns when it comes to the diseases that nutrias carry comes from those with livestock. The reason for that fear is that the livestock will in some cases drink from the same water which is the habitat of the nutria. That water may be contaminated with feces and urine and that is how the disease can be transmitted. More research is being done to determine the chances of nutria infecting humans with leptospirosis, paratyphoid, hemorrhagic septicemia and others.

© 2002-2017  Webmaster email  Residential & Commercial  Licensed & Insured Invasion Biology Introduced Species Summary Project - Columbia University Family: Echimyidae Subfamily: Myocastorinae Identification: A large rat-like rodent which is brown in color with a white muzzle and chin. The outer fur is dark brown and coarse while the underfur is softer and gray. While males are usually bigger than females, the average size of the head and body is 521mm while the average length of the tail is an additional 375mm. It has large, orange, protruding incisors. The hind feet are webbed and the tail is long, rounded and scaly with little hair. It is also similar in appearance to the beaver and the muskrat, although the tails of each are different. Original Distribution: Native to South America, specifically middle Bolivia and Southern Brazil to Tierra del Fuego Current Distribution: South America, Europe, Asia, North America (Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and from Texas and the Gulf States north through Maryland) in aquatic and marshland communities.

Site and Date of Introduction: Farmed for their fur, 'escapes and liberations' from fur farms in South America led to feral populations which mutliplied and spread rapidly. (D'Elia, G., 1999) Additionally, this species was introduced into North America intentionally in the early 1930's for its fur and in later years to control aquatic vegetation. (GSMFC, 2005) Mode(s) of Introduction: Nutria were captured in South America and released in Louisiana for trapping and pelting purposes; Escapes or releases from Louisiana and other fur farm captivity led to the widespread feral populations in North America. (GSMFC, 2005) Reason(s) Why it has Become Established: Reproduction in this species is very high. Breeding occurs throughout the year, and sexual maturity may be reached in as little as four to eight months of age. Gestation lasts just over four months, and the litter size can range from one to eleven although the typical litter is four to six. Females typically have two to three litters per year. Although the species prefers fresh water and lowland areas, there exist populations in salt and brackish water and in higher elevations.

All populations of this species, however, are found in habitats close to wetlands - swamps, marshes, rivers and lakes, particularly those with vegetation along the banks. Although initially farmed for their fur, the downturn of the fur market and human preference for muskrat fur has resulted in less hunting of this animal. Their primary predators in the wild are alligators, turtles, gars, large snakes, birds of prey, and to a small extent now, humans (for fur or meat). They are nocturnal and thus may not be easily preyed upon by daytime predators. Their lifespan is approximately six years over which time the amount of offspring produced is tremendous. Ecological Role: The nutria is an herbivore, although coastal nutria have been known to consume shellfish as well. They eat primarily aquatic vegetation and can consume up to 25% of their body weight each day. They consume the entirety of a plant including the stems, leaves, roots and bark. As indicated above, the nutria's diet puts it in direct competition with the muskrat and various waterfowl. Predators are also listed above. In limited quantities, nutria would serve a very useful purpose in thinning waterways choked with vegetation.

Benefit(s): This animal is valued for its fur and in some places its meat. It is also valuable for its ability to consume vast quantities of aquatic plants - weeds and vegetation - which can reduce the over-vegetation of aquatic areas such as ponds, lakes and marshes. Threat(s): The Nutria is too efficient at eating which is threatening habitats, native plants and other wildlife. Their high reproduction rate and resulting overpopulation is stretching limited trophic resources and threatening other species such as waterfowl (ie. bitterns and marsh harriers) and muskrats. By consuming the young and fragile plants in an area, they are capable of turning marshes into vast stretches of open water. Their burrowing actions damage habitats, dikes and levees. They also cause considerable damage to various crop areas such as soybean plantations, rice plantations, sugar cane fields, and sea oats (which stabilize Mississippi's beach dunes) (GSMFC, 2005). Nutria also carry and can transmit various parasites and diseases. Control Level Diagnosis: Medium Priority.

While this species is thought to be declining in South America due to the fur trade (D'Elia, G., 1999), in North America, it seems that this species has gained a significant foothold which is only increasing over time in terms of both overpopulation and damage to wetlands. Several states including Texas, Georgia and Maryland have already begun attempts at decreasing or eradicating this animal. Control Method: Georgia has attempted control of small or medium sized nutria populations through shooting and trapping. (Bertolino, 2005) At least one county in Texas has spent hundreds of dollars trying to eradicate this animal.( NSRL) Maryland, greatly concerned about the nutria's effects on the marshes on the lower eastern shores, proposed a ten year nutria eradication program. The program was postponed pending the results of a two year study to determine whether "exclusion of nutria from emergent marsh habitats can stabilize or recover marsh vegetation." (Haramis, 1996) It is unclear whether this program was actually instituted. It is also unknown whether the efforts undertaken resulted in the eradication of nutria or reduction in damage to wetlands in specific locales.

References: Bertolino, 2005. "Mycastor coypus" (On-line), Invasive Species Specialist Group database. Accessed November 11, 2005 at . D'Elia, G. 1999. "Myocastor coypus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed November 11, 2005 at . The Georgia Museum of Natural History and Georgia Department of Natural Resources, 2000. "Nutria" (On-line), Georgia Wildlife Web Site. Accessed November 12, 2005 at . Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission (GSMFC), 2005. "Myocastor coypus" (On-line), Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission Web Site. Accessed November 12, 2005 at . Haramis, M., 1996. "The Effect of Nutria (Myocastor coypus) on Marsh Loss in the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland: an enclosure study" (On-line), United States Geological Survey Web Site. Accessed November 11, 2005 at .

National Science Research Lab (NSRL) [no specific author or date noted]. "Nutria" (On-line), The Mammals of Texas - Online Edition. Accessed November 11, 2005 at . Author: Pamela Millian Nutria or Coypu - Animal Facts and Information Nutria or Coypu Posted by BioExpedition | Apr 18, 2012 | Animals , Mammals | Nutria or Coypu Facts and Information Myocastor coypus Introduction to Nutria or Coypu You can call it the Nutria, River rat or Coypu but regardless you are talking about a rodent that is very large and semi aquatic. They are often mistake for beavers and otters . However, there are enough differences to make it a separate animal that is part of various ecosystems. They can be up to 3 feet long and weigh about 20 pounds. Their overall size though will vary based on location. Nutria or Coypu Description They have two layers of fur, one that is very close to the skin. This helps them to remain dry and to live in bodies of water that are cold.

They also have the outer fur that is thick and shiny. They are dark black and various shades of brown on mixed together with white tips. They feature long whiskers with a white patch underneath. Class Conservation status Least Concern They also have small ears. The front legs aren’t webbed but the back ones are. This allows the Nutria or Coypu to be able to get around in the water with ease. The tail is long and rounded at the end. They use it to help them navigate their bodies in the water. Nutria or Coypu Distribution They are mainly found around South America and they tend to live in the tropical regions. However, it was later introduced to North America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. As a result it is thriving in those locations and the population continues to grow. The introduction has mainly been done by those that raise them to harvest their furs. Nutria or Coypu Behavior Not everyone is a fan of the Nutria or Coypu though due to their high numbers. In the wild, they can be considered a nuisance in some regions. They can dig deep burrows and they can be destructive to crops. As a result they have been trapped in some locations to help reduce such problems from continuing.

They will create burrows that are around rivers. They spend a great deal of their time in the water but they will sleep and take care of their young in their burrows along the rivers. They are nocturnal so during the day they tend to be in the burrow staying cool. They will come out at night to play, socialize, and to find food. Nutria or Coypu – Myocastor coypus Nutria or Coypu Feeding The Nutria or Coypu dines on various types of plants. However, they are only really interested in the stems. They will leave the rest of the plant there which means that they can destroy a great deal of vegetation in very little time. They don’t just take a nibble hear and there. However, the rest of their food is often consumed by other animals that share the same habitat. They also consume stems, roots, bark, and grains. They have very long teeth that are sharp. They continue to grow for the duration of their lives so they have to keep them ground down by eating various foods. Nutria or Coypu Reproduction The Nutria or Coypu can mate during the spring and they are usually about 1years old when they mate.

After they have mated the males and females will go their separate ways. The female will make sure her burrow is ready for the young to arrive. She will typically have between 3 and 12 of them. These young do have their eyes open at birth and they also already have teeth. They are fully mature around 6 months of age and they will have to leave the burrow of their mother to find their own habitat. It is common for a female to have 2 or 3 litters of young annually. Their average lifespan is about 6 years. Nutria or Coypu Facts and Information Nutria or Coypu Related Articles Share: Nutria, Invasive Species Council Priority Species Photograph: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Photograph: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife What are they? Nutria are medium sized rodents that live in freshwater environments. They are native to South America. Nutria can grow up to 40 inches from its nose to the tip of its round, rat-like tail. They weigh an average of 12 pounds, although some can reach up to 40 pounds. They are herbivores and feed primarily on the roots and stems of wetland plants. Are they here yet? Yes.

Nutria were introduced into Washington for the fur-farming industry in the 1930s. By 1943, there were feral populations. Nutria are prolific breeders, capable of producing two litters a year. Populations are spreading rapidly throughout western Washington and are beginning now to appear in central Washington. Why should I care? Nutria will consume about 25 percent of their body weight each day. Because they eat the roots and stems of plants, they destroy about ten times more plant matter than they eat. Nutria have been known to turn riparian areas into muddy bogs, destroying marshes that provide protection for flooding and habit for other animals, birds, and fish. Nutria often construct circular platforms of compacted vegetation, which they use for feeding, birthing, resting, and grooming. Nutria are known to construct burrows in levees, dikes, and embankments, causing bank collapse and erosion. They also are host to a variety of parasites and pathogens. What should I do if I find one? Report a sighting How can we stop them? At this time the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends that property owners contact a state-licensed trapper to capture and remove the animals.

Any live-trapped nutria must be euthanized and not returned to the wild or transported within the state. What are their characteristics? Male and female nutria are very similar in appearance. The average adult is about 2 feet long from nose to the base of the tail. The rat-like, sparsely haired tail is 1-1.5 feet long. The fur of a nutria has three lengths. The short under fur is less dense than that of either a muskrat or beaver. The next layer is longer, more dense, and is the primary overall coloration of the species. The outer layer hairs are about 3 inches long. Nutria’s whiskers are about 4 inches long. The front feet have five toes, one of which is a small toe akin to the human thumb. The hind feet are much larger and all the toes, except the one corresponding to the little toe in humans, are connected by a skin web for swimming. The nutria has glands near the corners of the mouth that produce oils the nutria uses to groom itself and waterproof its fur. The mammary glands on females are high on their sides, which allows their young to nurse while the mother is swimming.

Nutria spend much of their time in water. Where can I get more information? Video: Following the invasive Video: Using Radio Telemetry to Track Nutria Movement

Question: What name is given to the fur of the Coypu?
Answer: NUTRIA