A nutria, also known as a coypu, is a large, herbivorous, semiaquatic rodent. It is native to South America, where it lives in slow-flowing streams, lakes, and freshwater marshes as well as brackish and saltwater habitats. Nutria have webbed hind feet and are more agile in the water than on land. They live in burrows alongside stretches of water and feed on river plant stems. Nutria are often mistaken for muskrats, another semiaquatic rodent that occupies the same wetland habitats, but nutria are larger and have a round tail, while muskrats have a laterally flattened tail. Nutria are considered an invasive species and have been found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. They have potential to spread disease to livestock and humans, and they destroy native aquatic vegetation, crops, and wetland areas. Nutria are approximately two-feet long, with a large head, short legs, and a stout body that appears hump-backed on land. They are dark brown. Nutria can be rather social animals and sometimes live in large colonies, reproducing prolifically. Females have two or three litters every year, each consisting of five to seven young.