Invasive Nutria Collection Boxes

If you have seen any of these weird looking boxes floating in marsh areas. These were placed by the USDA Wildlife Services for invasive nutria studies. The boxes have a wire array that collect hair samples as a nutria, muskrat, otters etc. pass through. “The nutria (Myocastor coypus), a large, semi-aquatic rodent native to South America, was originally brought to the United States in 1889 for its fur … USDA ”

The sample boxes are placed in areas that had reports of Nutria in the past. The boxes are also placed in areas that are prime habitat for nutria. The USDA National Invasive Species Information Center Nutria has a great deal of information on these invasive species. According to the folks I spoke with, we haven’t had a nutria sighting in a while.