I have recently noticed a nutria in my 1 acre pond. I have read they only eat aquatic vegetation and not fish. Is this true? The only problem weed I have is Algae (chara)
. Will they eat this and help control it?
FWIW: I have never seen one, but I have read bad things about them.
Shoot it...they are bad news...I shoot every one I see...In LA they even offer per head bounties
I've never seen them in a pond. Shot several of them when younger in lake or bayous in Lousiana. They are vegetarians. Not sure exactly what vegetation they eat. They were brought to La. from South America to eat a certain species of water weed. They may have nibbled on it, but concentrated more on other vegetation they found. You might leave them alone for a while and see what happens. They have the brain power of an armadillo and should be easy to kill should you so decide.
Bad...no redeemimg characteristics. I don't buy into this strictly vegetarian stuff either. Maybe its local folk lore, but East Texas "red necks" swear they eat fish. I had a couple try to move in....and I saw large bass skeletons along my shoreline at the same time..coincidence? maybe, but no use taking a chance. The damage they can do to your dam is incredible. I've seen it first hand and its not a pretty picture.
Bad, all bad.
What the heck is a nutria?? Muskrat?
Ed
Similar to a muskrat but with a round hairy tail if I remember right. The size of a small beaver.
They have basicly eaten all the benificial/native vegitation & left the bad invasive vegitation alone.
I agree with the above posts. NO redeeming qualities. Fur is even worthless.
Remove asap.
Meadowlark,
I'd bet you saw the remenants of an otters lunch.
A muskrat will eat a fresh water clam once in a while & I suspect a nutria will also. But catch a fish? Doubtful in my opinion.
Ric,
You are probably right....and it could well be that what the locals around here see eating fish is not the nutria but otters. One fellow swears that nutria "cleaned out his pond" and another said he has actually observed them eating fish. I've never heard of that outside this region, however.
I definitely saw a nutria...shot him, in fact...and I did see fish skeletons on the bank at the same time the nutria were present. I wish now I had done an autopsy.
Regardless, we can certainly agree that even if they never even disturbed a fish, the nutria must be removed from the pond or serious consequences may result.
According to the current National Geo, Nutria can cause erosion by stripping the ground of vegetation and by burrowing - so they're a double threat. It makes me glad all I have to worry about up here are groundhogs and muskrats.
Bad! Bad! Bad!
I have them. Had them real bad this year. In one weekend I shot 21 of them. The good thing they are good for target practice. I wish they had a bounty on them in Texas.
Destroy the cattails, bullrush and the dam.
The nutria will eat every thing. I've seen them nibbling a dead fish so I guess they eat fish too. Those buggers can swim well so they possibly can catch fish although I've never seen them catching any fish. As for me when I see um, they are as good as dead. A couple nutria can wreak havoc on your pond vegetation in a hurry.
I live in Chesapeake, VA on a creek. Although I try not to kill anything, I have no trouble getting rid of nutria. I don't think your big problem will be with the nutria eating your fish population, but they can, and will cause a lot of erosion damage. They are also prolific breeders and will increase in number in a short order. I'd get rid of him quick!
Calais,
The locals in my area swear that nutria eat fish. The books say they do not. One time I had them, I also observed fish skeletons on the bank.
Your comment about using BG in the trap for them begs the question. Have you seen evidence they are eating fish? I believe they do, but can't prove it with first hand observation. If they do, then it makes the case against them even stronger. Thanks.
Redfinger,
I have a big hole going up into my dam that requires a backhoe to dig out and repair.
Rein terror on the nutrias before they "settle in".
Gator
Get em out!! one way or another. There is a small park in arlington/grand prarie that has them. The banks look like swiss cheese. Tons of holes and mud. Definately get them before they get your dam!!