Rodents of Unusual Size | Fun Fact Friday

The idea of rodents of unusual size (or ROUS) from The Princess Bride did not originate in the imagination of film makers.  There are in fact rat like rodents of unusual size.  These rodents are called nutria, or coypu, beverat (beaver rat), river rat, ragondin or castorino depending on where they are seen.  In North America we refer to them as nutria. 

Nutria are found around the world and mostly near water.  They are herbivores-- eating mostly stems and wasting large portions of the plants they feed on.  Although nutria are not the only rat like large rodent, they are possible the most widely known.

These rodents can be up to two feet long (not including the tail which can be as long 18 inches) and weigh in at 20 pounds!  While they don't compare to the gigantic rodents in the movie The Princess Bride, I can't say I've met a lot of people who would be comfortable around a 2-foot-long-20-pound rodent.

Nutria have been a pretty big problem in the Northwest because they are non native and invasive.  There have been issues with nutria in urban areas and parks-- and the issue is some times exacerbated by people feeding the nutria.

It is best not to feed or try to take care of nutria as they pose a risk to natural wildlife, water quality and can be a danger to people in situations where people have been feeding them.  Here is a short clip on youtube about nutria.



I don't really see a lot of nutria here in Portland and Vancouver or up in Seattle, and because they don't typically invade homes and businesses-- they are outside of my area of expertise.  I do deal with a full range of rodents that do infest homes and businesses in our service areas.  For pest control for Rodents in the northwest, give me a call, drop me an email or check out our website for coupons.

Micah Wood
www.peak-pest-management.com
micah@peak-pest-management.com
360-607-1933
503-998-4322
706-790-8285