Feeding. The nutria feeds on roots, rhizomes, tubers and young shoots of marsh plants such as cattails, saltmeadow cordgrass and Olney threesquare. It will also eat crops and lawn grasses near its marsh habitat. A voracious eater, it consumes approximately 25 percent of its body weight every day.

What do Nutrias like eating?

In warmer months, they live in dense vegetation and move into large burrows when temperatures get colder. Nutria are mostly voracious vegetarians who can consume large amounts of riparian and wetland plants. They also feed on small invertebrates such as insects and snails.

Do Nutrias eat meat?

Nutria are almost entirely vegetarians and only eat animal material by mistake, such as insects on the plants they feed on. Freshwater mussels and crustaceans are occasionally eaten.