Beavers and nutrias have webbed back feet, while muskrats lack webbed feet. Nutria can be found primarily on the west side of the Cascades from Northern California all the way up to southern BC, and the population keeps expanding. Nutria can be found primarily on the west side of the Cascades from Northern California all the way up to southern BC, and the population keeps expanding. Gestation lasts 130 days, resulting in one to 13 offspring (usually five to seven). The data represented on this site vary in accuracy, scale, completeness, extent of coverage and origin. Updated weekly by fish and wildlife biologists throughout the state. While once raised for their fur, nutrias have become a problematic invasive species. This video is unavailable. Within its original habitat, the species is threatened by habitat degradation and persecution by ranchers.
As an adaption to the aquatic environment, the eyes, nostrils, and small ears are set high on the sides. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the nutria conservation status as "least concern."
Contact us if you are using data from this site for a publication to make sure the data are being used appropriately and for potential co-authorship if warranted. The nutria destroy the area’s which they live, feeding on the lower stems of river plants “wasting” nearly 90% of the plant, which in turn disturbs the ecological balance of other animals and insects that live in that same habitat, and are known for digging through the banks to reach roots causing more erosion. Since they are hunted as an invasive species, their fur is considered ethical and more sustainable than synthetic fur, while their meat is become increasingly popular. The species has a hunched body; a round, nearly hairless tail; a valvular mouth and nose; and pentadactyl feet with naked soles. Nutrias always live close to water. Only 20% of nutrias survive their first year, but they can live three years in the wild and up to six years in captivity. We accomplish this by paying a bounty of $6/nutria tail to hunters and trappers registered in the CNCP.
Baby nutrias are born with fur and open eyes. Nutrias are social animals that live in large colonies.
We highly recommend reviewing metadata files prior to interpreting these data.
The skull of the nutria is heavy and somewhat angular, like that of the porcupine. Feral populations are established in several states such as Louisiana, Maryland, Oregon, Texas, and Washington.
Females become sexually mature as early as 3 months of age, while males mature as early as 4 months of age. Alaska Science Center - Biological Science Of ... Nutria (Myocastor coypus) were introduced into South Korea in 1985 for fur farming and meat production. Originally, the nutria was native to temperate and subtropical South America. Contact ODFW's Public Service Representative at: odfw.info@state.or.us. Overall, the color usually ranges from dark brown to yellow-brown. Because they live in warm climates, nutrias can reproduce year-round. Usually, a female has two or three litters per year. The nutria has a long, thin round tail which distinguishes it from the beaver which has a flat tail and the muskrat which has a laterally flattened tail. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. For queries involving fish, please contact Matthew Neilson.
Adults range from 16 to 20 inches in body length, with 12 to 18 inch tails. A large, rat-like semiaquatic rodent, nutria are an invasive species in Oregon. The range is limited by the mildness or severity of winters, as the nutria is susceptible to tail frostbite, which can lead to death. Nutria, (Myocastor coypus), a large amphibious South American rodent with webbed hind feet. 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE They are active mostly at night, although individuals occasionally may be observed swimming, feeding or walking along a pond bank during the daylight hours, especially when nighttime temperatures are below freezing, and may be observed basking in the sun when temperatures are low. In Oregon, the nutria is considered an invasive species. By using ThoughtCo, you accept our. The muzzle is frosted with white hairs. Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College. For the most part, they dig out rhizomes and aquatic plant roots.
Middle San Joaquin-Lower Merced-Lower Stanislaus, Damage prevention and control methods for nutria, USGS Factsheet - South American nutria destroy marshes, Worldwide distribution, spread of, and efforts to eradicate the nutria (Myocaster coypus), US Fish and Wildlife Service Ecological Risk Screening Summary for. Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. However, they are best known for the ecological threat they pose outside their natural range. Contact: odfw.commission@state.or.us The nutria has a long, thin round tail which distinguishes it from the beaver which has a flat tail and the muskrat which has a laterally flattened tail. Nutria strongly resemble native beaver and muskrat, but are distinguished by their round, sparsely haired tails and white whiskers (see CDFW's nutria ID guide (PDF) or Delta Stewardship Council's nutria pocket guide). It is distinguished from other species by webbed hind feet, a white muzzle, white whiskers, and large orange incisors.
In the late 19th and early 20th century, numbers dwindled in the original habitat and fur ranchers brought the species to North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Learn more about nutria on our Living with Wildlife, Nutria page. The toes of the hind feet, except for the hallux, are included in a web. Watch Queue Queue
The Nonindigenous Occurrences section of the NAS species profiles has a new structure. They nurse for seven to eight weeks, but also begin eating grass with their mother within a few hours after birth. (800) 720-6339, Do you have a question or comment for ODFW?
The young are born with fur and their eyes open.
Accidentally or intentionally released nutrias rapidly adapted to new habitats and expanded their range. The nutria or coypu (Myocastor coypus) is a large, semi-aquatic rodent. Commonly, the subordinate individuals are related. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The toes of the hind feet, except for the hallux, are included in a web. As an adaption to the aquatic environment, the eyes, nostrils, and small ears are set high on the sides. The section is now dynamically updated from the NAS database to ensure that it contains the most current and accurate information. ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. References to specimens that were not obtained through sighting reports and personal communications are found through the hyperlink in the Table 1 caption or through the individual specimens linked in the collections tables.