Navigate to homepage. But nutria aren't considered picky eaters as they're often caught eating crops such as rice, sugarcane and corn. During winters, they become even more destructive due to the lack of vegetation above the ground. While both the male and the female muskrats are about the same size, in Nutrias, the males are always larger than the females. State agencies from Maryland, Virginia and Delaware have partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and FWS to eradicate local nutria populations. Another interesting thing about muskrat’s fur is that it is double-coated to protect them from cold water. Rice and sugarcane plants are a favorite of Nutrias. Nutria also damage wetlands when they overgraze plants. Today, nutria populations are found across the U.S., primarily in the coastal states, according to FWS. They've also been known to gorge on home vegetable gardens and freshly planted grass. Instead of hair, their tail is covered with scales. Most people refer to Muskrats as “rats” because of the commonly visible similarities between the two. Periods of drought decimate their population, but thanks to their rapid reproduction rate, the nutria are able to recover during the flooding season. Muskrat’s fur is short, double-coated, and dense to help them survive in a colder climate. While they can live in swamps, ponds, and lakes, their ideal location is marshes. Even when Muskrats have cannibalistic tendencies, they do not part with their group. Up and Down arrows will open main level menus and toggle through sub tier links. As far as their weights are concerned, the Nutria weighs at least twice as much as an average-sized Muskrat. Their name can be broken into two terms, “musk” and “beaver”. Their activity can cause such extensive damage that the levees need to be completely reconstructed. How Hurricanes Impact Animals. Size. Like the whales, the bodies of Muskrats are also less sensitive to carbon dioxide build-up than the other mammals. Nutria aren't picky eaters, which is one of the reasons why they're so destructive. As mentioned, nutria will dine on numerous agricultural crops, such as rice, corn, wheat and more. Although the pests have similar effects on property, some differences between muskrats and nutria identify these animals. Now, let us discuss the distinguishing factors between Muskrat and Nutria elaborately. Visit our corporate site. On the other hand, the Muskrats use their musk dominantly for communication. While Nutrias are non-seasonal breeders, the Muskrats have a specific breeding season. When baby Muskrats are born, they are completely hairless, blind, and are only about 20gms in weight. Both Muskrats and Nutria prefer freshwater to saltwater. The fur of Muskrats might be short, but it is dense. If you see a Muskrat or a Nutria somewhere around your house or in your neighborhood, you should be worried.
It plays no role in swimming. But can you really distinguish between the two? Nutrias also occasionally feed on floating logs if they can find them. But other agencies and experts think a more offensive approach is better. Although they're about the size of a raccoon, nutria look more like a cross between a small beaver and a giant rat, with two large, orange front teeth and long, rounded tails. California Department of Fish and Wildlife. After a gestation period of about 4 months, nutria pups will nurse for about 7 to 8 weeks and stay with their mom for around 10 weeks, but pups can also survive on their own when they're as young as 5 days old. On the other hand, nutria tails are rounded, hairy, and rat-like. Nutria have a voracious appetite for wetland plants and will chow down an entire plant — roots, bark and all, according to Animal Diversity Web. The “musk” in their name signifies the musky odor they use to mark their territory, while they were called “beaver” because of their flattened tail similar to beavers. Not only are invasive nutria catastrophic for the environment, but they also play host to several diseases and parasites including tuberculosis, tapeworm, liver flukes and nematodes. But when the fur market collapsed in the mid 1900s, many nutria farmers couldn't afford to keep their animals and released them into the wild. Muskrats mate while they are partially submerged in the water. These mammals become sexually mature as early as 4 months of age, and females can breed again about 1 to 2 days after giving birth, according to U.S. The burrowing habits of nutria also damages flood-control levees that protect low lying areas and water retaining levees used in agriculture, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Damage Management extension. On the other hand, Nutrias give birth to babies who are precocial. So, what is the difference between muskrat and nutria? No Bag Limit - Daylight hours only.
Nutria are now considered a nuisance in the U.S. and other parts of the world where their populations have grown and their presence has disrupted the native ecosystem. All rights reserved. Although Muskrats are native to North America, they have now been introduced in parts of Europe, South America, and Asia as well. According to WildlifeDamageControl.net, the terms gopher, whistle pig, groundhog and woodchuck all refer to the same species, Marmota monax. It's estimated that up to 80% of nutria don't survive their first year, and those that do survive, only live for two or three years, according to FWS.
Nutrias also have a white patch on their muzzle and incisors in a bright orangish color that Muskrats lack. It takes these little rodents six months to mature. The furry rodents will occasionally eat small invertebrates such as insects and snails, according to FWS. Large numbers of the pests can damage natural habitats as well as costly landscaping. Because the animals eat the entire plant, the vegetation are less likely to grow back, according to National Geographic. However, they are not the members of the genus “rattus’, but of “ondatra”. Since both pests are nocturnal, it may be tough to spot either one. They are usually arranged in a large family and live within a pre-decided, definitive territory. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, nutria in captivity may live up to about 12 years, according to Oregon State University. Please refresh the page and try again. Nutria are resilient. Were these nails used to crucify Jesus? You will receive a verification email shortly. Both Muskrats, as well as Nutrias, are known to create serious troubles for humans. Nutrias are extensive eaters and consume about ¼th of their body weight on a daily basis. Read on to find out everything you need to know in order to differentiate between Muskrat and Nutria.
As long as they can find plants like water lilies, ferns, cattails, pondweeds, etc., in their surroundings, they are quite content. Rachel Ross - Live Science Contributor
These mammals are native to South America and were introduced into the United States between 1899 and 1930 through the fur industry, according to the U.S. While there can be any number of males and females in a Muskrat’s group, Nutria’s circle can only consist of a single male; the rest of the group members are all either females or their offspring. While Nutrias are social rodents as well, the structure of their groups is different from that of Muskrats. Nutria, also known as coypu or swamp rats, are large rodents that live in areas with lots of freshwater. They spend their nights in swimming, grooming, and feeding. Stay up to date on the coronavirus outbreak by signing up to our newsletter today. The musk is used as a chemical message by the Muskrats to find out the identity of a resident or the sexual condition of the muskrat who secreted it. Males have a home range of about 14 acres, while females stay even closer to home, keeping within about a 6-acre radius. The agency recommends building 3-foot (91-cm) wire fences buried at least 6 inches (15 cm) underground around gardens and lawns, putting electric wire fences around vegetation, or constructing sheet metal shields around wood structures to prevent nutria from gnawing on them. Nutrias prefer to dig their homes in ditches near river banks, which they cover by using foliage. Nutria have bright orange front teeth and a long, rat-like tail. Continuous monitoring and removal of nutria is especially important as global warming increases the number of potential nutria habitats in North America, according to a 2019 study published in The Journal of Wildlife Management. © Copyright Critter Control. There was a problem. By
Critter Control Logo. They live in burrows connected by tunnels that they dig near rivers, canals, lakes or in wetlands, according to National Geographic. Are you genetically more similar to your mom or your dad? Nutria are aquatic creatures and prefer freshwater to saltwater. Their tail adds another 10 to 16 inches (25 to 41 cm) and the animals weigh between 15 and 22 pounds (7 to 10 kilograms), according to National Geographic. However, if there is a shortage of plants in their locality, they can also feed on frogs, snail, shellfish, etc. As a Muskrat grows older, its fur starts to grey partly. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Receive mail from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors? Enter and space open menus and escape closes them as well. They have a typical tendency of eating both above-ground stems of a plant as well as digging through soil to eat their roots and rhizomes. In many of the places involved with containment and eradication of nutria, groups are working to rebuild the ecosystem that the animals damaged or destroyed.
Learn more about saving marshes from nutria on, Read more about how nutria are returning to wetlands where they were previously eradicated, from.
Muskrat vs. Nutria Identification. Muskrats can also close their ears off while swimming, while Nutrias can do no such thing. When in danger, Muskrats slap their tails on the ground in order to alert the others. Will our solar system survive the death of our sun? One of the significant differences between Muskrat and Nutria is the kind of food they eat. In the 1800s, fur traders brought nutria to the U.S. so that the animals could be easily harvested for their thick and soft undercoat of fur. If the Muskrats find their group getting over-crowded, the female Muskrats can even kick out their own offspring, who then look for or create another group.
Humans consider Nutria to be an invasive species for their destructive lifestyle that is problematic for them.