
In the video, A solitary nutria (a large wetland rodent) shelters under the tracks of a construction excavator.
A worker carefully nudges it with a shovel, urging it to leave without physical contact.
Why hide here? The machine provides warmth and cover, mimicking riverbank burrows where nutria naturally seek refuge.
Why gentle nudging? Direct contact risks bites from their sharp teeth and prevents disease transmission.
Ecological note: Nutria are invasive pests; this behavior signals nearby habitats may be disturbed or flooded.