The Nutria is a large, South American semi-aquatic rodent introduced to North America for the fur trade that has become highly invasive in Gulf Coast marshes and Mid-Atlantic wetlands. Its voracious feeding habits devastate native marsh vegetation, converting productive wetlands to open water in a process called 'eat-outs.' Orange-stained front teeth are a distinctive and unusual feature of this species.
Best time to see a Nutria
The best time to see a Nutria is January–June, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 9,985 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Nutria? What animal is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Nutria sightings near you
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Spotted a Nutria?
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