Nutria (Myocastor coypus)

Florida's Nonnative Wildlife. Species detail.

Aquatic species native of South America has been in Florida since at least 1955 and entered the state from fur farms and from some releases for aquatic vegetation control. They have been reported over a wide area of the state at various times, but populations seem ephemeral in most areas. Current distribution in Florida is not known, although the animals are consistently reported from the Tampa Bay area, Hillsborough county.

Nutria are a conditional species in Florida (68-5.002, Florida Administrative Code).