Mammals
Nutria (Myocastor coypus)
Origin and Date of Introduction: Southern South America; late 1930's.
Reason for Introduction: Deliberate, for fur industry, and as biocontrol of water hyacinth and alligator weed control (accidentally escaped from captivity in 1937).
Preferred Habitat: Marshes and swamps.
Ecological / Economic Damage: Nutria "eat-outs" damage 100,000 acres of coastal wetlands in Louisiana, rendering them even more vulnerable to the erosion that is diminishing the state by 25 square miles annually.
Control Options: Bounty hunting and trapping; increased harvest for fur and meat.
Photo: Flickr (Tambako The Jaguar)
Futher Reading: USGS NAS (Nonindigenous Aquatic Species)
Nutria (Myocastor coypus)
Origin and Date of Introduction: Southern South America; late 1930's.
Reason for Introduction: Deliberate, for fur industry, and as biocontrol of water hyacinth and alligator weed control (accidentally escaped from captivity in 1937).
Preferred Habitat: Marshes and swamps.
Ecological / Economic Damage: Nutria "eat-outs" damage 100,000 acres of coastal wetlands in Louisiana, rendering them even more vulnerable to the erosion that is diminishing the state by 25 square miles annually.
Control Options: Bounty hunting and trapping; increased harvest for fur and meat.
Photo: Flickr (Tambako The Jaguar)
Futher Reading: USGS NAS (Nonindigenous Aquatic Species)