Destroyed
marsh land - USFWS http://www.friendsofblackwater.org/nutria.html#nutria
Nutria are large rodents
that look like beavers with long, thin tails. Nutria weigh between 12-15
lbs. with males. They are native to South America. Originally they were imported
as fur animals, their coat has a dense grayish underfur with long, glossy,
brownish guard hairs. They inhabit fresh and brackish marsh lands, and have
escaped into the wild in 16 states, including Washington. Nutria are prolific
breeders, breeding year around and producing litters of 4-5 young. In Louisiana
the population went from 20 to 20 million in 20 years. Nutria eat up to ¼ of
their weight each day in marsh grasses and other plants, removing habitat
needed by other animal species and water fowl, and degrading wetlands.
