A large invasive rodent capable of destroying up to 9 tons of plant material a year has made its way to Fresno, according to a report by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The large semi-aquatic rodents are native to South America; the CDFW says they are capable of causing extensive damage to the local environment. According to CDFW, nutria can weigh over 20 pounds and eat up to 25% of their body weight a day. However, each rodent destroys much more than its body weight in plant materials. … Nutria were first spotted in Fresno along the San Joaquin River in 2024, but as of Feb. 11, 1,140 have been captured county-wide.