Just A Step Away by sandra46
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Description
Another shot of two members of the nutria population on the same river bank, this time sharing the bank with the resident geese.Some of you commented about the incontinent sex habits of these rodents: they are the same as rats and other pests.While their populations find a check in predators such as alligators, in Italy they proliferate profligately.
The coypu or nutria (Myocastor coypus), is a large, herbivorous, semiaquatic rodent. Nutria breed in all seasons throughout most of their range, and sexually active individuals are present every month of the year. Reproductive peaks occur in late winter, early summer, and mid-autumn, and may be regulated by prevailing weather conditions.
Originally native to temperate South America, it has since been introduced to North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, primarily by fur ranchers. Although it is still valued for its fur in some regions, its destructive feeding and burrowing behaviors make this invasive species a pest throughout most of its range. The name nutria (or local derivatives such as nutria- or nutra- rat) is generally used in North America and Asia; however, in Spanish-speaking countries, the word nutria refers to the otter. So the name coypu (derived from a native language) is used in Latin America and in some parts of Europe. In France, the coypu is known as a ragondin. In Dutch as beverrat (beaver rat). In Italy, instead, the popular name is, like in North America and Asia, nutria, but it is also called castorino (little beaver), by which its fur is known.
Coypus live in burrows alongside stretches of water. They feed on river plants, and waste close to 90% of the plant material while feeding on the stems. Local extinction in their native range due to overharvest led to the development of coypu fur farms in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The first farms were in Argentina and then later in Europe, North America, and Asia. These farms have generally not been successful long term investments and farmed coypu often were released or escaped as operations became unprofitable.
As demand for coypu fur declined, coypu have since become pests in many areas, destroying aquatic vegetation, irrigation systems, chewing through human-made items, such as tires and wooden house panelling, eroding river banks, and displacing native animals. Here they are accused, together with badgers and foxes of eroding the banks of our rivers and being among the main causes of the recent flood.
Thank you for your kind comments.
Comments (39)
durleybeachbum
They are called coypu here. i don't know if they are pest yet, i must do some research.
jayfar
They are not in the UK, or at least I don't think so and I hope they never will be. Nice bit of info Sandra.
brycek
Nice shot and information!!
cryptojoe
So, thats why the girls always call me a rat! Ha ha ha! Great image and story too!
claude19
wonderful shot !excellent vue!
bazza
Nice shot Sandra you guys can keep them over there lol..
magnus073
This is another amazing shot Sandra, and I very much enjoyed all the details you provided
Richardphotos
very destructive pest.many things has been introduced to new areas causing massive destruction of native wildlife/vegetation.outstanding shot
carlx
Awesome image!!!
renecyberdoc
rats and other pests huh??thank you for picking up on my comment. what worries me more is the human pests and rodents hehehe. have anice evening amiga .bonna notte ??is that right''?buona notte rather.hmmmmmmmm
flora-crassella
I think it is a Water Vole.... Nutrias are very bigger... very cool picture!
lyron
Beautiful capture!!
drifterlee
Very interesting shot, Sandra!
alanwilliams
good info Sandra sounds like a complete free for all to me.
Faemike55
Very good capture and fascinating information
mgtcs
gorgeous shot and colors here Sandra, fantastic information, thank you!
Umbetro38
a wonderful picture and nice to look at
eekdog
like your pov! cool capture.
wysiwig
Nice capture, The goose doesn't seem to mind them. I wonder if they eat goose eggs? We humans have this tendency to create problems for ourselves and then blame the victim.
Bothellite
You're sure that they aren't numphs? :-)
psyoshida
Yuch!! I know they have a huge problem in New Orleans with them. Another good idea gone bad, then totally out of control. :) Great info and shot.
Radar_rad-dude
A very fine capture of this cute little varmint! Thanks for all the information as well! Most appreciated, Sandra!
jocko500
at lest we here in Louisiana do have the gators to keep them in check. In EU I not sure what keep them in check. this is a wonderful pov here
gonzojr
Excellent image.
bimm3d
wonderful capture!!
mariogiannecchini
È inserita nell'Elenco delle 100 specie aliene più dannose del mondo. ( dove per aliene si intende organismi estranei al luogo dove vivono! Nel 2000 erano 250.000.000 in Europa . http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elenco_delle_100_specie_aliene_pi%C3%B9_dannose_del_mondo Tipi interessanti , vero ?
erlandpil
Nice shot erland
Hendesse
Great shot, I like the POV. Thanks for the informations too.
jarmila
qui vivono tutti in armonia, meglio delle persone :-) scatto interessante
virginiese
nice rodent and great capture of them. For sure their proliferation is a hue problem :