Today's Article

That 1rodent is called a 2nutria, some refer it as a "3water rat."

The large, 4semi-aquatic rodents are considered an 5invasive species, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

"They are so common that you can go to any 6retention pond in this area, and you're going to find at least one."

The owner of Truly Nolen Pest Control and rodent expert Kevin Dissmore says that Duval County has a high number of nutrias living and 7breeding in our retention ponds.

"Right up this slide here. So they leave an 8imprint in the area that they're coming in and coming out, and this was the exact 9spot the nutria came out."

Dissmore and his daughter even spotted nutrias in their own retention pond.

"And I'd say we probably have somewhere between four and ten in here."

Now, the problem with nutrias is that they pose a significant threat to 10marshland.

"So, they're destroying the vegetation that other animals 11rely on, but then it also destroys the landscape, and you've got erosion happening at a really high rate with these guys. They're causing the 12erosion."

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, this 13furry rodent is 14edible. The federal agency even post on X that nutria meat is compared to a rabbit.

"I would not 15be opposed to eating a nutria."

However, not everyone is willing to add them to their menu.

"There's a lot of animals I wouldn't eat, a lot of people eat, but not me."

"That looks like an animal I could have at home as a pet."

"As a pet?"

"Yeah, as a pet."

Dissmore believes 16trapping them is not enough.

"They have to be 17unalived, and that's the only way to protect our environment."