Every now and then I am reminded that some people, not from the Gulf Coast generally, do not know what a nutria rat is. It can actually be pretty hard to convince these people that there does in fact exist a large population of giant swamp rats, that can generally be found in just about any body of running water in East Texas. Anyone who has seen one can attest that this is one of God’s most unlovely and unlovable creatures. At least that’s how they look to me. A quick search of the internet will pull up a number of nut job cajuns who keep the damn things as pets - Exhibit A, Exhibit B, Exhibit C…. I rest my case. If you go down to Cafe Adobe in Sugarland, you can see them come out to feed at sunset —

Boy: Mommy, look at the beaver!
Mom: That’s not a beaver. Get away from the rail.