Nutria (Rodentia)

The nutria, Myocastor coypus, is an aquatic rodent and the only living species in the family Myocastoridae. It is also frequently classified in the family Capromyde, along with the large, heavy bodied rodents of the West Indies known as hutlas. The Nutria was formely often called a coypu and its fur sold as nutria (the Spanish word for "Otter"), but the latter name has now come into wide usage for both the animal and its fur. Nutrient resembles miniature beavers, but they have a rounded, tapered tail, and weight more than 9 kg (20 lb). Their plush, dark grey fur are marked by reddish brown guard hairs. The hind feet are webbed. Native to central and southern South America, nutrias have introduced into the United States and Europe, where they cause damage to crops and irrigation ditches.