I was walking around a pond at my apartment complex in South Texas a few years ago, when one of these critters crossed my path.
Scared the crap out of me. If I had been packin', the neighbors would have been surprised...
About 25 years ago I lived in a second-floor apartment with a narrow balcony which led to the stairs.
One night I opened the door to go outside, and this big, rat thing was between me and the stairs.
I didn't know what to do. I ended up calling the police. The officer came out and he didn't know what to do either. He considered shooting the varmint but this was a congested apartment complex. He finally got a box and caught the critter and took it away.
When I mentioned it to the apartment manager the next day, she said, "Oh don't worry honey. It's a nutria, and nutria are vegetarians."
Gee thanks, lady.