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Nutria - Myocastor coypus

nutria
Nutria
© USGS

Where abundant, nutria may deplete wild vegetation in coastal areas, severely damaging wetlands and destabilizing sand dunes by digging for roots and rhizomes of sea oats. They may also invade fields and damage crops. Nutria carry a number of parasites and diseases, including the nematode Strongyloides myopotami, which causes a condition known as "marsh itch" or "nutria itch" when the larval form penetrates the skin of human beings.

Nutria are brown and have a long, round, scaly tail with sparse hairs. The muzzle and chin are white and the ears and eyes are small. The incisors are large and dark orange, protruding beyond the lips. The four inner toes of the hind feet are webbed. They usually weigh about 25 pounds.