Where Are Nunavua Rats From?
WouterThere are two main reasons why Louisianans might be concerned about nutria rats. First, the nutria are an invasive species. They can cause problems in yards near water and can easily infest yards near freshwater sources. Secondly, nutria can breed year-round, making it difficult to control the population. Fortunately, Louisiana has implemented a $5-per-tail bounty program to try to eliminate the rodents from its coastal region. Combined with other strategies, such as sheriff-directed nutria sewer hunting, these efforts have led to a significant reduction in nutria damage to the Louisiana coastline.
The nutria is a semi-aquatic rodent native to South America. These rodents can grow up to 20 pounds in size. These rodents have spread to almost every continent on earth, causing damage and destruction to infrastructure and crops, costing millions of dollars. Recently, a new documentary called Rodents of Unusual Size chronicles the spread of the nutria to the United States and Louisiana, and the devastating impact that this species has on the ecosystem there.
The nutria have a white patch on the muzzle and webbed hind feet. Their mouths have about 20 teeth, with four large incisors. The teeth are orange in color because of the mineral iron in the enamel. They also have prominent four-inch long whiskers. The female nutria also have high mammary glands and nipples.
