Ratão-do-banhado!

Well that sure sounds fancier than river rat, don't it?  I apologize in advance- this a dumb post about nutria.  On a recent trip up to Ridgefield in the pouring rain I was treated to something even more horrific than the albino nutria (you didn't think that was possible, did you???):

Ridgefield NWR, March 2011
 
NUTRIA SEX!


BLEEEEHHHHHHHHH!!!!   NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!  

I watched it happen.  Twice actually.  I didn't obtain a good video, so I recreated it for you with this crappy video.

Also on this visit I watched a muskrat and a nutria swim by each other and I managed a comparison shot.  Not the best, but I know a lot of people don't know the difference... 


Muskrat below, Nutria above.   Distinguishing features:  muskrats are cute, nutria are foul.  Nutria often show their orange teeth and their big creepy whiskers.  Muskrats often look furrier or softer, even though nutria were introduced for their fur.  Vomit.  

At least some animals do their part in attempting to keep the nutria population in check.  Remember this post from two years ago?  Too bad I haven't seen a coyote at Ridgefield in forever.   Thanks USFW, for killing a bunch (at least 13) for the sake of the imported deer that have mostly died regardless.  Haven't heard?  Check out this article for more details.  

ANYway... Nutria are gross.  You're welcome.  Good times.

Comments

  1. I'm not comfortable with the slapping noise in the video.

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  2. Oh wow, what a sightings! The albino nutria is cool. Happy Birding!

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  3. I applaud your efforts to document the natural world.

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  4. The video is so great. The lady nutria seems less than enthused.

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  5. I had no idea they killed some of the coyotes! No wonder I haven't seen them in ages. That really pisses me off. The coyotes were always a treat to see. And the nutria sex??? Eww.

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    1. Yeah I was super bummed to read about that- only found that article after someone on instagram mentioned it... At least killing coyotes does not usually keep their numbers down- they'll just have more pups to make up for it. Hopefully we'll get to see them roam Ridgefield again soon...

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  6. Nutriational and Educational.

    The kinkiness on your blog never disappoints.
    Thanks for going the extra mile with your recreated video.

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  7. Haha! You're hilarious, Jen. Seriously. Please keep making me laugh.

    I've also got myself a blog, on the general natural history of the PNW. Check it out and stuff: www.wildpnw.com

    Sorry, it's not entirely (or even mostly) about birds. I used to sort of hate birds too, but now I love 'em. So it goes...

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