To continue on with getting to know the Nutrias, and help you see that they really are nothing like a rat, or what people think of rats (namely: ew and ick), here's a cute little guy who came over to me as I was walking in the park a few months ago. (If you're asking What's a Nutria, click that name on the tabs on the sidebar over there to see)
Now, would a RAT do that? No. He looks more like one of those miniature dogs wanting a treat. Or a very well trained gerbil. A rabbit with less cute lips and no hopping? Well, he certainly looks like a Nutria if nothing else. Because of his tail, he's in all this trouble, being called a water rat. Add a flat tail to the same body, face and teeth and he'd look just like a beaver and suddenly folks might be calling him cute.
Well, I gave him some bread, and --this was shot several months ago--it was the last time I did. I know these little guys have gotten carb addicted because people in the park throw them so much bread and they are really herbivores. I know wheat is a grain, and maybe it's not that bad for them but sliced rye doesn't grow on a riverbank with the rest of their food.
Since I've done so much training now between the Zoo and the Wildlife Center, I have stopped giving them bread... If I'm going to feed wild animals it will only be things as close as possible to their natural diets. When I see someone throw Fritos (oy!) to ducks (who will eat them) or M&M's (OY!!!) to a squirrel (who will eat them) I want to charge up and ask "What are you THINKING giving them these things? Do you think BLUE M&M's exist in nature??????" in an entirely too loud voice... or whack them upside the head (the people, not the animals).
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5 comments:
Up until a about 18 months ago, we were regularly feeding bread to the ducks. Then we did a bit of research and stopped. You're so right about our lousy food habits. It's wrong to inflict that on these critter. The nutria is absolutely adorable. And yes, its face is very beaver-like.
Maybe I said this before, when commenting on an earlier nutria post, but I always think of nutrias as a cross between muskrats and beaver, all three of which will raid a garden (not finding bread, Fritos, or M&Ms, I'd hope) and aren't above eating dog or cat kibbles from a nearby dish, either. So they're pretty lax in their food selection. When means you have to think about what you're about to feed them if you decide to give a handout…which is something you might ought to think about seriously in the first place.
Cute critter, though, and nice post.
He is cute Syd, and loved watching him eat (that nasty old bread). I was hoping the video would last until he finished, to see what he did next.
I've learned a lesson now about not feeding bread to the animals but rather try to be aware of their feeding habits.
And I'll spread that word because my granddaughter is a nanny and she takes the children to the park to feed the animals all the time...bread. Ewwww!
He's eating that bread like playing a harmonica. Yes he/she does look just like a beaver. I wonder how they came about? Thanks again Syd!
Bring to mind a Beaver-Dog...such a cute and serious look in the first pix!
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