What are nutria, and why are they a trouble?– DW– 04/02/2025

The Nutria, so Known as a COPOPU OR Swamp Beaver, is initial fromSouth America But the Semi-Aquatic Mammal Has Managed to Spread Far Beyond Its Native Wetlands, Infiltrating Swamps and Riverbanks Across North America, Asia, Africa andEurope

It initially involved Europe in the 19 TH Century, Introduced by Entrepreneurs Looking to Capitalize on the Success ofArgentina’s Farming Industry Today, Though the for Trade Has Dwindled Since Its 20th-Century Heyday, Nutria have actually grown.

Local Populations, came down from Animal Who Escaped from Farms or Were Simply Allowed to Run Free, are currently well developed Across Most of theEuropean Continent They’ve Even Been Spotted as Far Afield as Ireland andScandinavia

What does a Nutria appear like?

Wither Coarse, Dark Brown for, Webbed Rear Feet and Large Front Teeth, A Nutria Could, at First Glance, BE Mistaks for Its Distant Cousin,The Beaver But with grown-up weight of in between 4 and 9 kilos (about 9 to 20 extra pounds) and an optimum size of 60 centimeters (23 inches), they are a lot smaller sized.

I NSTEAD OF THE BEAVER’s Flat, Paddle-Like Tail, The Nutria’s Rear Appendage is Thin andRatlike Their distinct front teeth are tinted orange depause they have oxidized iron, which is what makes them more powerful.

Are Nutria Dangerous?

Nutria May Look HarmlessPaddling Along a Local Creek and Munching on water Plants, Especialy Roots and Stems,Or Teating Itself To The Occasional Snail Or Mussel But Their Long, Sharp Incisors Can Cause Serious Damage, Cutting to theBone

They Generally Shy Creatures, and Most Active At Night, But Can Attack IF Curious Humans Or Dogs Get Too Close, Potential spreading out bloodsuckers or microbial conditions.

THe better risk is the native environment and biodiversity. Nutria Are Agricultural Pests, Happy to Munch on Any and All Nearby CerealRoot Crops and Saplay.

They are hostile Eaters; One Nutria Can Consume Up to 25% ofIts Body Weight Every Day And Because they Favor Roots and StemsThey Tend to Destroy More Plants Than The y Actually Eat

Nutria Burrows Can Make Dikes, Quays and Lets Vulnerable to Collapse During Floods, and their Presence Can So Disturb Native Ecosystems andEndangered Waterbird Populations

Why Makes Nutria searching for a trouble in Europe?

Unlike Beavers, which are belonging to north America and Europe, nutria aren’t native and are consiedered an annoyance on those continents

The European Union Added the Nutria, Under ITS Scientific Name Myocastor Coypus, To Its List of Invasive Alien Species of Concern in 2016, that included “Restrictions on Keeping, Importing, Selling, Breeding, Growing and Releasing [nutria] Into the Environment. ”

Wither No Natural Predators in Europe, Controlling The Nutria Population is aChallenge They live approximately 6 years in the wild, and they’re rather productive. They can reproduce with the year, and with several trashes a nutria mommy can have approximately 15 young each year.

The European Nutria Population has actually blown up in Recent Years, and not simply Because they feel comfortable. Nutria Thrive in Warmer temperature level, and with wintertime board light as a result of environment modification in the means, a pawhold Further andFurther North

On the plus side, Europe’s Nutria Boom is Helping to Control the Burgeoning Population of theEqually Invasive Muskrat The Animals Competote for the Same Habitat, and theLarger Nutria Usually Wins Out

What’s Being Done to quit them?

Many nation in Europe Have Introduced Monitoring and Management Programs, in An Attemp to Keep Nutria Populations in Check and Stop New Communities fromSpringing Up Thesis Involve Traps and Hunting, Though the Latter Can Be Dangerous for Humans and Other Animals in Natural Parks andUrban Aeas

Some People have Recommended placing nutria on the food selection In the United States, The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has also Published a List of Suggested Recipes From A 1963 Cookery BookIncluding Nutria Chili, Stuffed Nutria Hindquarters and Smoked Nutria andAndouille Sausage Gumbo

Edited by: Tamsin Walker