Nutria Research Paper

The nutria or coypu, Myocastor coypus, is a large semi-aquatic rodent that superficially resembles an overgrown muskrat or a stunted beaver. According to Kuhn et al, These animals were introduced into Oregon from about 1930 to the 195O's. He adds that at one time Oregon had more than 600 fur farmers raising these animals for fur; now there are none. Some animals escaped and many others were released into the wild when it became apparent that pelt values were nonexistent and production costs greatly exceeded profits. Being creative and quite mobile the nutria quickly spread through much of western Oregon. By the 1960's damage to agricultural crops was common to severe in western Oregon. Crops damaged included seed, grain, forage, Alfalfa, corn,
Their gestation period is approximately 130 days. The female can become pregnant the day after giving birth, with a litter of 1 to 13 baby nutria. The babies are born fully developed and can eat alongside their parents within hours of their birth. They are very aggressive reproducers. If timed right, a single female can bear three litters per year (Carter et al, 1999). Various methods have been used over the year to control this invasive animal. Used methods include leg hold traps which are the most commonly used traps for catching nutria, Nutria, single-or double-door live traps, body-gripping Traps as well as shooting. The former is most effective when done at night with a spotlight, however, night shooting is illegal in many states and should not be done until proper permits have been obtained.
Nutria have been marketed to the public as a very lean, fibrous and protein rich meat, possibly even better than beef, chicken and turkey as it is low in fat and cholesterol. Study’s published in the Journal of Food and Science suggest it is the same texture and appearance of rabbit or dark turkey meat. It has been determined that nutria is safe for human consumption, but the idea hasn’t quite caught on here in Oregon. Recipes can be found