Nutria
Adult nutria are about 14 inches long from the nose to the base of the tail. The tail itself is 12 to 17 inches long, round, and hairless. Coloration is brownish, and both sexes are similar in appearance and weight. Nutria average 16 to 18 pounds in weight. Occasional individuals may weigh 25 pounds or more. Front feet have five toes, including a small toe corresponding to our thumb. Hind feet are much larger, and unique in that all toes are connected by a skin web except for the toe corresponding to our little toe. A shy and retiring species, nutria are not usually seen unless there is a deliberate attempt to find them. Nutria burrow into banks of ponds and lakes, and these holes are usually larger and more destructive than muskrat burrows. Nutria usually have a negative impact on other wildlife species.
The largest concentrations of nutria are in the coastal areas of Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Florida. Excellent populations also occur in areas of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland as well as in the waterways of Washington and Oregon.