Homemade nutria: recommendations for care and reproduction. 120 photos with a description of what it looks like, what it eats and how long it lives

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Nutria , the swamp beaver, is a rodent that leads a semi-aquatic lifestyle. This mammal has interesting habits and is a valuable fishery object. Farmers are actively breeding these animals, since their meat and fur are highly valued on the market. What are nutria, what are their habits and how do they reproduce?

Origin of the species and description

Photo: Nutria

Nutria is a mammal, it belongs to the order of rodents and represents the nutria family. It is called differently: otter, koipu, swamp beaver. All names are used with equal frequency. Although there are a number of experts who claim that nutria cannot be called swamp beavers. They claim that these animals are not related to real river beavers, rats. They resemble them only remotely - in similar habits and lifestyle. Therefore, such a comparison is incorrect.

Video: Nutria

Koipu are large rodents. Their body length can reach sixty centimeters, and their weight can be twelve kilograms. Male nutrias are always much larger than females. Externally, the animals look like a huge rat. Their body is covered with thick, shiny, long stubble.

Interesting fact: Despite their thick, dense fur, nutria do not emit an unpleasant aroma. They are very clean, unlike other members of the rodent family.

The beautiful, thick fur of nutria is the most important fishery object. For this reason, these animals began to be actively bred on animal farms located around the world. Today there are about seventeen breeds of this mammal. Ten breeds are mutational, seven are combined.

They are all divided into two groups:

• Standard;
• Colored.

The standard breeds include animal breeds with a classic brown color. Colored nutria appeared as a result of breeding. The color of their coat is varied. There are Azerbaijani and Italian nutrias that are white, pearlescent, and black. The fur of colored breeds is much more highly valued in the modern market.

Interesting facts about the rodent:

• Nutria is an object of fishing and breeding. The animals are kept in cages consisting of a special house with a walk and a swimming pool. Semi-free housing in enclosures and free-range housing are also used. On farms, nutria are bred in both the standard brown color and colored ones, white, black, pink, beige, and golden. The skin is slaughtered at the age of 8-9 months. The fur with the long axis has the greatest value. Nutria is also bred for meat. It tastes good and is recognized as a dietary product. In addition, nutria are tamed and kept as pets.
• The first nutria breeding farms were founded at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries in Argentina. A little later, these rodents were introduced to the USA, Europe and Asia. Also, acclimatization of nutria was successfully carried out in the Transcaucasus, Georgia, and Tajikistan.
• In some countries, wild nutria are recognized as pests, as they eat aquatic vegetation, damage irrigation systems, dams, and undermine river banks.

Appearance and features

Photo: Nutria animal

From a distance, nutria look very much like huge rats. Their fur is shiny and has a long tail at the back. Excluding the tail, the average body length is about fifty centimeters, the average weight is six kilograms. However, these parameters are not the limit. In nature, individuals have been encountered more than once whose weight reached twelve kilograms and a length of more than sixty centimeters.

Interesting fact: Nutria are large rodents and have an excellent appetite. An animal can gain its adult weight by nine months after birth.

Koipu have a very strong build and have heavy, strong bones. The animal has a massive head. It has tiny eyes and ears. They look disproportionate. The shape of the muzzle is blunt, the teeth, especially the incisors, are painted bright orange.

Nutria leads a semi-aquatic lifestyle, so its body and organs have a number of anatomical features:

• The nasal openings of the animal have obturator muscles. When diving, they close tightly, preventing water from entering;
• The lips are separated, behind the incisors they can close tightly together. This prevents the passage of water;
• The toes of the hind limbs have special membranes. They help in the process of moving under water;
• The tail is rounded, not covered with thick hair, and quite powerful. It helps the animal control the direction of movement while swimming;
• The fur is waterproof. It consists of two parts: wool, undercoat. The coat is long, thick, and the undercoat is very dense. The fur repels water and does not get wet even after a long stay in a river or lake.

Meat value

Nutria meat tastes much like pork, but differs favorably from it in its “lightness” and beneficial properties.

With a calorie content of 149 kilocalories per 100 g of product, the nutritional value is as follows:

It contains (per 100 g):

People who regularly eat nutria meat have noticed positive changes in their bodies.

• This easily digestible delicacy is believed to have the following health benefits:
• strengthens the immune system (recommended by nutritionists after grueling physical activity and long-term illnesses);
• nourishes the body, providing the necessary proteins, vitamins and microelements for obesity (helps to lose extra pounds);
• increases vitality (helps cope with drowsiness, insomnia);
• improves the condition of hair, nails and skin;
• stimulates the production of thyroid hormones (recommended for thyroid dysfunction);
• activates metabolism;
• improves the blood formula (for anemia).

Important! Nutrium meat is strictly contraindicated for people with individual intolerance. In all other cases, it should be consumed only after careful heat treatment, since this is a favorable environment for the proliferation of Trichinella.

Where do nutria live?

Photo: Live nutria

Initially, this rodent lived only in South America. This is his homeland. It was found in the territory from Brazil to the Strait of Magellan. Today, this animal is distributed across many other continents. He has adapted well to Europe, North America, Transcaucasia, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Nutria appeared in these areas as a result of a resettlement program.

Programs for the resettlement of nutria were carried out at the beginning of the twentieth century. In most cases, nutria adapted perfectly, began to actively reproduce and settle in new lands. However, there were also setbacks in the resettlement process. The rodent has not taken root in Africa, in some parts of the former Soviet Union. In some regions, nutria initially took root, but died with the onset of winter.

For example, the population was completely destroyed by severe frosts in Scandinavia and in some northern states of the USA.

To live, nutria choose places close to ponds, lakes, and swamps. The water in the reservoir should be stagnant or slightly flowing, the shores of lakes and swamps should be overgrown. The animal does not settle in dense forests and mountains. It does not occur above a thousand meters above sea level. Coipus also avoid areas with cold winters and too low temperatures.

The fashion industry is against real fur

When calculating the profitability of a farm today, one should not underestimate such new fashion trends as the refusal to use natural fur.

Fashion houses with big names are abandoning it, world-famous stars no longer wear it, and some countries completely ban its production and sale. A living animal is better than a dead one. It's worth thinking about, isn't it?

What does nutria eat?

Photo: Male nutria

For living, koipu prefer to choose swampy river banks, shallow lakes, and reservoirs with standing water. They make burrows on the shore where there is a lot of vegetation. Based on their place of residence, it is not difficult to guess what nutria eat. Most of her diet consists of plant foods. These animals are unpretentious eaters.

They love to feast on:

• Leaves, stems of cattail;
• Young shoots of reeds;
• Roots of various aquatic and terrestrial plants;
• Water lilies and reeds;
• Water chestnut.

If a rodent begins to feel hungry at its place of residence, it may eat several mollusks, leeches or insect larvae. However, this happens occasionally. With a lack of nutrition, nutria prefer to simply find a new place to live.

Interesting fact: All systems of nutria, its anatomical features are perfectly adapted for life in water. The special structure of the organs allows the animal to eat food even at the bottom of reservoirs without breathing.

The diet for keeping nutria at home is slightly different. For better growth and beautiful fur, breeders feed animals with special balanced feed with the addition of grains, grass, and vegetables. Sometimes farm owners add leftover food from their own table to their daily diet.

The feed is mixed and steamed. This type of nutrition is considered the most effective. When keeping a large number of animals, dry feed can be used. But at the same time, one important rule must be observed - nutria should always have fresh water available. This is vital.

Area required for animals

The dimensions of the cage should be selected depending on the number of animals that are planned to be kept. It is worth considering that the area for one animal should be 70x70 cm.

Features of character and lifestyle

Photo: Nutria female

The entire life of nutria passes near reservoirs, rivers, and swamps. The animal avoids mountains and cold climates. To build its burrows, it chooses places with maximum vegetation, because plant food makes up ninety percent of the daily diet. The lifestyle of nutria can be called semi-aquatic. The animal spends a lot of time in the water. He can eat and swim there.

Coipus are most active in their natural habitat at night. At night they actively forage for food. They eat stems, rhizomes, leaves, reeds. If there is little vegetation, they can catch and eat a leech or a mollusk. The lifestyle of these animals is semi-nomadic. Nutria rarely live in one place. They move all the time when there is a lack of plant food.

Fun fact: Koipu are excellent swimmers. Without air, these mammals can travel a little more than a hundred meters underwater. They hold their breath for seven to ten minutes without harming their own body.

Nutria build burrows on steep banks and slopes. Shelters usually consist of several complex movement systems. Several animals live in burrows at once - from two to ten. Such groups consist of several females, a male and their offspring. Young males prefer to live separately, alone.

Like any other animal with fur, nutrias shed. However, among the Koipu it is not so limited in time. Molting occurs to one degree or another throughout the year. The least wool falls out in the summer and autumn periods of the year. Only in winter does the loss completely stop. In winter, these animals have the best quality fur.

Conditions for animals

First of all, the nutria needs to organize its cell. Wooden ones are not suitable for her, as she can easily chew through them. You will have to organize ones that have a metal coating or are covered with a metal mesh.

You also need an open or closed enclosure. If you plan to keep nutria outdoors, then you need to create a house for them so that the animal can take refuge in it.

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This is necessary even if the winters are quite warm. In the wintering room they need a temperature of +15 degrees.

Also keep in mind that good ventilation and access to fresh air all the time are important for the animal. But at the same time, drafts can cause them to become ill and even die.

The cage in which the nutria will overwinter or build its nest should stand at a height of 80 cm from ground level.

Social structure and reproduction

Photo: Baby nutria

Koipu breed well both in natural conditions and in captivity. It is high fertility that allows the animal population to be maintained at a sufficient level. In one year, an adult female can reproduce several times. During one pregnancy, the female bears up to seven cubs.

Males of this family are ready for the breeding process all year round. They are constantly active, unlike their ladies. In females, activity occurs only periodically - every twenty-five to thirty days. Most often, nutria gives birth to offspring in the warm season - spring and summer. The pregnancy of an animal lasts relatively short - about one hundred and thirty days. The fertility of females decreases by the age of three.

Interesting fact: Coipu babies have a high survival rate. Little nutria are able to adapt almost instantly to the conditions of the world around them. Animals adopt the habits of their parents literally a few days after birth. They also begin to swim and try some plant foods.

Baby Koipu grow very quickly. The peak of growth occurs in the first six months of life. By this time, they leave the family nest and begin to lead an independent lifestyle. In its natural environment, this animal lives for about five years.

Breeding

It is best to mate an animal starting from 8 months. One male can serve up to 15 females. It is possible to determine whether a female is pregnant only after a month and a half. Holding the nutria by the tail with one hand, you can feel the small balls in its stomach.

Fertilized females should be moved to another cage, where there is a swimming pool and a walking area. Breeding nutria should be carried out following all the rules.

Gestation continues for 4-5 months. Then fish oil should be added to the nutria’s food. Before the birth process, nutria does not eat anything. The birth itself lasts about half an hour, in rare cases it drags on for longer.

Born animals begin their movements immediately after birth. The weight of a newborn is approximately 200 g. Already on the third day after birth, the calves eat adult food and are able to swim in the pool.

In a situation where the female does not feed her cubs and behaves restlessly, it is better to move her to the male for a certain period of time. The nutria and its cubs are placed in a warm, comfortable enclosure. Rodents continue to grow actively for 2 years.

Natural enemies of nutria

Photo: Nutria animal

Koipa is not an easy target. Animals can hide from their enemies underwater, in complex systems of burrows. They build shelters with several exits and compartments. In such a hole it is quite easy to hide from danger. Nutria can stay under water for about ten minutes, quickly covering the distance with the help of powerful hind legs with membranes between the toes. This is quite enough to hide from the enemy.

If by swimming or near a hole a nutria has a chance to avoid an enemy attack, then on land, far from shelter, this animal is very vulnerable. His eyesight and charm fail him. With the help of hearing, a mammal can hear the slightest rustle, but this will not save it. Nutria run fast and do it in leaps. However, the beast's endurance is extremely low. After some time, a predator may overtake him.

The main natural enemies of this animal can be called predators. They are often hunted and attacked by wild wolves, cats, dogs, and foxes. Birds of prey, such as marsh harriers, also feed on nutria. Leeches and various parasites living inside cause great harm to the health of the mammal. Humans can also be considered natural enemies. Koipu are killed in large numbers by poachers and at the hands of ordinary people. In some countries, these animals are considered pests and are therefore deliberately destroyed.

Dangers

Nutria are characterized by good health. All that can harm them is improper, disordered nutrition.

The harsh climate is also not to the liking of the animals. They are afraid of drafts and severe frosts. A warm fur coat reliably protects their body from any cold weather. But the tails and paws are covered only with skin and are easily susceptible to frostbite. The wounds heal poorly and the animals suffer greatly.

As in any living community, it is possible that aggressive individuals will appear that will attack and injure relatives and humans. Their behavior is not corrected. Such animals should be identified, isolated and disposed of first.

Diseases, prevention

The nutria family is distinguished by a well-developed immune system and good health. In farm and wild conditions they rarely get sick. Having a low susceptibility to infectious and parasitic infestations, they compare favorably with other fur-bearing animals.

We recommend that you familiarize yourself in more detail with the main diseases of nutria and how to treat them.

However, with improper maintenance, as well as epidemic outbreaks, cases of infection with diseases such as:

1. Salmonellosis . Infectious agents enter the animal's body through dirty feeders and drinking bowls. They are also carried by rats, flies, sparrows and people. Young animals are especially vulnerable to the disease. To stop the infection, it is necessary to eliminate sick individuals (they are killed and burned), disinfect the cells, including equipment, and apply a course of Levomycitin, Biotin or Furazolidone to the remaining members of the family. For prevention purposes, annual comprehensive vaccination is recommended.
2. Pasteurellosis . Conductors of pathogenic microflora are food and water, as well as other rodents, birds, and livestock. The disease has a high mortality rate, so it is important to start therapy in the initial stages. Usually in such cases, veterinarians prescribe Bicillin-3, Streptomycin, and Penicillin. To prevent the disease, it is important to promptly vaccinate animals with a special serum.
3. Tuberculosis . The course of the disease is often asymptomatic. The cause of its development may be sick relatives or infected cow's milk. Alarming symptoms are shortness of breath, cough, apathy, and immobility. It is impossible to save the patients under their care; death usually occurs several months after infection. Therefore, it is important to provide home nutria with a balanced diet and proper care.

These are the most common and dangerous diseases that threaten captive swamp beavers. Violation of sanitary standards during their maintenance can also cause the development of helminthiasis, food poisoning, and ringworm. If you notice the first symptoms, immediately seek help from a veterinarian.

Video: nutria diseases

The healing properties of fat

Nutrium fat is recommended as an easily digestible, non-refractory product that is not capable of causing harm to the human body. It is even recommended to be consumed by people suffering from hypertension.

• For medicinal purposes it is used for:
• colds (to get rid of a runny nose, it is enough to lubricate the nostrils for 2 days);
• bronchitis and pneumonia (due to the property of improving blood circulation and thinning mucus, it is recommended to lubricate the chest and the area between the shoulder blades with massage movements, then wrap yourself in a warm blanket);
• sore throat (warm compresses are effective);
• deep, poorly healing wounds, heel cracks (used externally).

Owner reviews

Keeping nutria is not troublesome. Rodents are quite adapted to independently obtaining food and are omnivorous and clean.

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These are the factors that most experienced breeders pay attention to.

Animals that have been tamed as pets play funny and rarely show aggression towards people.

More often, malicious attacks are observed in females during puberty.

Subject to sanitary standards and care rules, breeding swamp beavers will become not just an exciting hobby, but also a significant financial source for the family.