August 2007 The Shoreline Page 11
mmE-
Q. Is there an animal at the coast called a nutria? I've
only recently heard of it.
A. Yes, and in large numbers in some areas, but they
are seldom seen.
Nutria {Myocastor coypus) are semi-aquatic rodents that
look like a cross between a muskrat and a beaver. These
large, rat-looking animals have a long, thin, round tail,
webbed feet and very large, curved, orange front teeth.
They move easily through water, using their tail as a
rudder.
Averaging 15 to 20 pounds in weight, nutria are strictly
vegetarian and have voracious appetites. They feed on
roots and stems of plants, which poses a problem in many
coastal areas where their feeding habits destroy plants
that help hold sandy soil and stabilize dunes.
Native to South America, the rodents were brought
into Louisiana in the 1930s with plans to establish a fur
trade. However, their pelts proved to be too coarse for
the commercial fur market and they were also slow to
reproduce in captivity. Some of the animals escaped and
...
-■ -'s
Larger than a muskrat, but smaller than a beaver,
nutria live secretive lives in marshes, swamps,
ponds, lakes and coastal rivers. Photo by Emmett
Westbrook
others were released into the wild.
These marsh mammals found the temperate climate
of the East Coast much to their liking and began to
reproduce rapidly. They can have two or more litters
per year, with an average of five young per litter. They
first appeared in North Carolina in 1941, and today can
be found along the coast from Hatteras to Bogue Sound,
with only spotty populations in the southeastern part of
the state. Otherwise they are found along the East Coast
from Maryland to Florida, and in states bordering the
Gulf of Mexico. They also inhabit the Great Lakes regions,
and appear as far as Montana, Washington and Oregon.
In some areas, they have moved inland to coastal rivers
and are believed to be most numerous in marshes of
Louisiana and Oregon.
Shy and primarily nocturnal, nutria are seldom seen
other than at dawn or dusk. They are easily tracked in
the sand, however, by following the unmistakable long,
thin line made by their dragging tail.
Red Skimmers Set Sail - Lining the rail of the Diamond City tour boat are 31 Red Hat Ladies from PKS and
Morehead City who sailed from Beaufort on the first day of spring June 21 to enjoy a buffet lunch, lots of laughs
and an up close view of the harbor. The weather was picture-perfect for the monthly get together of the Red Hat
group. Anyone interested in joining the Pine Knoll Shores branch of the organization should contact Pauly Brown
at 247-2959.
New Customer Specials"^
for Pine Knoll Shores Residents
$4g95
Basic Tank
Installation
(Normally
$125.00)
25% Discounts
On In Stock Appliances
$35 Customer |
Referral Rewards |
(Existing Customers - refer a neighbor or friend ^
and receive a $35.00 credit to your account) ^
OTHER BENEFITS OF AMERICAS CUSTOMERS:
• Senior Citizens Discounts • Automatic Delivery
• Easy Payment Plans • Appliance Financing
• 24 Hour Live Emergency Services
• COD and Credit Accounts Available
• Natural Gas Appliances Available for Order
AmenGas.
America's Propane Company
961 Hwy. 70 E • Trent East Crossing
Check Us Out At... New Bern, NC 28560
I
^ vww.amerigtts.com 252-637-3903 |
Must present this ad. Same exclusions apply. See store for details. itv
—- 71'
Lunch ll:30am-2:00pm
Dinner 5:30pm-Until
Monday-Saturday g
View our complete menu
& special events
paclages at
www.sharpiesgrill.com
grill
521 Front Street
Beaufort, NC
252-838-0101
“The Custonf Rome Audio & Video Experts”
Audio Interiors is a custom electronics design and installation
company that integrates state-of-the-art audio, video, communications,
and lighting into both new and existing homes and businesses.
^ Multi-Room Audio/
Video Distribution
• Home Tlieaters/
IVIedia Rooms
• Advanced Structured
Wiring Systems
• Home Automation and
System integration
• Corporate Boardrooms
> Lighting Control Systems
(252) 240^395
SHOWgbOMf
5380-D,f@My70West
j^orehACity
2404395 or 636-0395