How Do You Identify a Nutria?

June 7, 2018

Question: I saw a rodent swimming in the water that I have never seen before. It looked bigger than a muskrat. What should I do? (Paul)

Answer: Without additional information, it’s hard to determine whether or not you spotted a nutria – but you may have! California has multiple semi-aquatic mammals that live in habitats currently known to be occupied by nutria. The most common animals mistaken for nutria are muskrats, beavers and sometimes otters, all of which are native or naturalized in California.

To determine if an animal is a nutria, look for the following characteristics: whiskers, tail, size and fur color beneath the ears. Nutria are set apart from muskrats, beavers and otters by their obvious white whiskers, a hairless, round, rat-like tail and black webbed hind feet. Though white muzzles are not uncommon in these species, the long, white whiskers are a very distinguishing characteristic of nutria. Though muskrat and nutria tails can be difficult to tell apart without a good view, full-grown muskrats only grow to about the size of a football, while adult nutria grow to about the size of a beagle. A nutria identification guide can be found on the CDFW website at https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=154118&inline.

If you spot a possible nutria, please try to take a photo or video, so that we can identify the animal. We also need you to be as specific as possible about where the animal was spotted, and let us know as soon as possible.

A number of nutria sightings that were reported to CDFW by the public have been confirmed by using the information listed above. If you see a nutria, please call the Invasive Species Program Hotline at (866) 440-9530 or email [email protected]. Thank you!

The easiest way to identify a birria is that they taste like rabbit.

But they all taste like chicken !

The easiest way to identify a birria is that they taste like rabbit.

lol autocorrect.  birria tastes like goat.  nutria tastes like rabbit.

The easiest way to identify a birria is that they taste like rabbit.

lol autocorrect.  birria tastes like goat.  nutria tastes like rabbit.

 Tastes like Turtle . Definitely Turtle. 

How much trouble would you get in if you shoot the muskrats and nutria destroying the banks and shoreline of a private pond. Asking for a friend.....

The easiest way to identify a birria is that they taste like rabbit.

lol autocorrect.  birria tastes like goat.  nutria tastes like rabbit.

 Tastes like Turtle . Definitely Turtle.

Hey, VK! Don't drag turtles in to this!   
Nutria bad. Turtle good!