There are several animals that eat nutria, and I have personally witnessed some of these predator-prey interactions. One of the main predators of nutria is humans. In many regions, nutria are considered pests and are hunted for their fur or to control their population. I have seen people set traps or use firearms to catch and kill nutria.
Another predator of nutria is the alligator. I live in an area where alligators are common, and I have seen them snatch nutria from the water with their powerful jaws. Alligators are opportunistic predators and will feed on any prey they can catch, including nutria.
Birds of prey, such as bald eagles, are also known to eat nutria. I have observed bald eagles soaring high in the sky and then diving down to grab a nutria from the water or marsh. These magnificent birds are skilled hunters and can easily overpower a nutria.
Turtles are also predators of nutria, though they may not be as efficient as other predators. I have seen turtles swimming in the water near nutria and occasionally snapping at them. While turtles may not be able to catch and kill a fully grown nutria, they can still pose a threat to young or injured individuals.
Cottonmouths, also known as water moccasins, are venomous snakes that inhabit wetland areas. I have encountered cottonmouths near nutria habitats, and it is possible for these snakes to prey on nutria, especially if the opportunity presents itself.
Mammalian predators such as raccoons, foxes, and coyotes may also eat nutria. I have seen raccoons scavenging for food near marshes where nutria are present. These adaptable mammals can take advantage of any available food source, including nutria carcasses.
In addition to these specific predators, nutria may also fall prey to a wide range of other animals, depending on the region and habitat. Populations of nutria can vary greatly, with densities ranging from a few individuals to as many as 18 animals per acre in floating freshwater marshes in Louisiana during the fall.
The predators of nutria are diverse and include humans, alligators, birds of prey, turtles, cottonmouths, and several mammalian predators. Nutria face a constant threat from these predators, which helps maintain a balance in their population densities in different habitats.