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The Truth About the Vltava’s Giant, Orange-Toothed Rodents

If you’ve walked along the Vltava River in Prague, near Charles Bridge, Kampa Island, or the Podolí bank, you’ve probably spotted them: large, furry, semi-aquatic creatures that look like a cross between a beaver and a very plump rat. Meet the Nutria (or coypu), Prague’s most unexpected and controversial urban resident.

The Cute Invasion: South America’s Emigrant

The nutria’s story is an unlikely one for Central Europe. Native to South America, they were originally imported to the continent for fur farming back in the early 20th century. When the market collapsed, many were simply released into the wild, and they found the Czech rivers—especially the Vltava in Prague—to be a perfect home.

With no natural predators and a steady supply of vegetation, the nutria population has exploded. They are now as much a fixture as the swans and ducks, often gathering in spots like Střelecký Island (under the Legion Bridge) where people flock to watch and photograph them.

Why Prague Loves (and Feeds) Them

Prague locals and tourists alike find the nutria irresistible. Their round, furry bodies and endearing way of munching on carrots or apples people hand out make them seem like large, cuddly water guinea pigs. It’s a surreal experience: watching a family of these giant rodents on the riverbank, with the majestic backdrop of Prague Castle right behind them.

Common Nutria Hotspots in Prague:

  • Kampa Island: By the small water channels near the John Lennon Wall.
  • Smetanovo nábřeží: The embankment closest to the Old Town and Charles Bridge.
  • Podolí: Known for large, friendly groups that readily approach people.

The Important Caveat: Don’t Feed the Fluff

Here’s where the cute factor clashes with reality. While it’s tempting to offer them a snack, local authorities and ecologists strongly urge people to stop feeding the nutria.

Here’s why:

  1. Ecological Damage: Nutria are a highly invasive species. Their voracious appetite for aquatic plants strips the riverbanks bare, leading to severe soil erosion and destroying the habitat for native species like muskrats.
  2. Infrastructure Risk: Their extensive burrow systems undermine riverbanks and dikes—the very infrastructure designed to protect Prague from floods.
  3. Health Hazard: Nutria are known carriers of various diseases, including the potentially serious Leptospirosis, which can be transmitted through contact with contaminated water or a bite. And yes, they will bite if cornered or if they mistake a finger for a piece of carrot!

Prague’s city management is constantly battling to control the population, a difficult task when the public continuously provides them with an abundant food source, making them reproduce faster and survive the winter easier.

A Traveler’s Dilemma

So, what should a responsible visitor do?

  • Admire from a Distance: Enjoy the sight! Snap your photos of these unique critters with the stunning cityscape, but keep your distance.
  • Keep Your Snacks to Yourself: Resist the urge to feed them, no matter how much they seem to beg. You’re inadvertently contributing to a serious environmental and public health issue.

The nutria are a fascinating, if problematic, part of Prague’s contemporary urban wildlife. They’re a perfect example of how the city of a hundred spires hides a wild, compelling story right under its beautiful bridges.

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