Louisiana Is Shrinking, Thanks to Giant Swamp Rats

[longknife]

http://img1-cdn.newser.com/image/932980-6-20130509073330.jpeg
Beaver-like creatures behind vast erosion
By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff, Posted May 9, 2013

(Newser) – When it comes to invasive species, Louisiana may have Florida and its giant snails beat: The state's beloved swampland is literally vanishing at the hands of gigantic swamp rats. Nutria—described by a documentarian tracking the creatures as "a cross between a beaver and a New York sewer rat"—are booming in the area, and they're partly to blame for heavy coastal erosion. They devour the plants needed to hold down the soil, and with some 5 million of them now inhabiting Louisiana's southern coast, they're contributing to a rate of soil erosion pegged at 40 square miles a year, Chris Metzier tells Take Part.

Another case of Man screwing Nature in pursuit of $$$$$. Read more @ Louisiana Is Shrinking, Thanks to Giant Swamp Rats - Beaver-like creatures behind vast erosion

 

[ScienceRocks]

lets shoot it

 

[mamooth]

They taste like rabbit, according to those who have tried cooking them.

 

[Vandalshandle]

There is a bounty on them. Unfortunately, they are also the team mascot for the New Orleans Zephers (minor leage baseball team). The guy wearing the nutria suit at the ball games tends to run out, do his routine, and run back under cover of the stands as fast as he can...

 

[skookerasbil]

I think Rolling Thunder lives down there......or at least one would think so. Gotta live in a pretty desolate and isolated place to come up with some of the simpleton shit he comes up with.