Rats are wreaking havoc on Louisiana's coastal wetlands — but these aren't your average rats. Nutria, a large, semi-aquatic rodent native to South America, were brought to the United States for their fur in the 1880s. We need you to answer this question! Nutria, a large, semi-aquatic rodent native to South America, were brought to the United States for their fur in the 1880s. Nutria also have more prominent whiskers than a groundhog and a whitish chin. This species has been introduced into other areas, primarily for fur farming, and feral populations can now be found in North America, Europe, the Soviet Union, the Middle East, Africa, and Japan. Range . Nutria did not evolve in Maryland’s wetland ecosystems; therefore, there are few predators or natural conditions that control their population. They inhabit most of Argentina and Chile, in the subtropical and temperate regions. historical populations where nutria no longer exist (e.g., Great Lakes Region, California, Nevada, and eastern Oregon). Invasive Range. The original range of nutria was south of the equator in temperate South America. Introduced Species Summary Project Nutria (Myocastor coypus ) ... Additionally, this species was introduced into North America intentionally in the early 1930's for its fur and in later years to control aquatic vegetation. During the late 1800s, nutria were introduced intentionally to different bodies of water, such as rivers and streams, in the United States. Nutria, also known as coypu or swamp rats, are large rodents that live in areas with lots of freshwater. Nutria were irst introduced to the western United States as early as 1899 for their fur. Nutria are approximately 2 feet long, and have a robust, highly-arched body. They were introduced to Oregon in the 1930s. Nutria By Christian Fischer, CC BY-SA 3.0. The original range of nutria was south of the equator in temperate South America. Explanation: Nutria are rodents that are originally endemic to South America. The program was postponed pending the results of a two year study to determine whether "exclusion of nutria from emergent marsh habitats can stabilize or recover marsh vegetation." Distribution of the Nutria Rat Natural Range. How they got here and spread . Maryland’s eastern shore has seen thousands of acres of protective marshland impacted by the nutria's destructive feeding habits. Nutria are invasive, semi-aquatic, South American rodents first released into Dorchester County, Maryland in 1943. if you can get a look at the animal's incisors, orange to reddish incisors are characteristic for nutria. Nutria can be found primarily on the west side of the Cascades from Northern California all the way up to southern BC, and the population keeps expanding. Despite its fur still having value today in some countries, the tendency of the Nutria to feed off agricultural cultures in a destructive way, as well as it’s burrowing habits, make the Nutria a species considered invasive and unwanted. Answer: Intentionally; environmental. NSRL) Maryland, greatly concerned about the nutria's effects on the marshes on the lower eastern shores, proposed a ten year nutria eradication program.