Greenway Nutria
I encountered a nutria (aka coypu) on the way home from work Monday evening. I was surprised how tame it was. It was perfectly visible along the path, chewing on the damp blades of grass. I've not ever seen a nutria up so close. It looked like half beaver and half rat (because of the tail). I became fond of the animal, as I was able to approach and observe it very closely. Truth be told, I was less than 2 feet away, my camera lens probably a foot away at one point. It didn't even flinch. I guess I have a way with animals :)
Poor things. Nutria are considered invasive species to our continent, but it is our fault. We brought them here for the purpose of raising them for their fur. Now they are breeding out of control and considered a pest. Too bad, so sad. Greedy people. I don't care. I like my new friend, the nutria... even if he does have an ugly rat tail and weird orange teeth!
