Laura Fair, age 10, of Gastonia, N.C., for her question:

WHAT IS NUTRIA?

A coypu is a large rodent that lives near the water. Its soft undercoat, which is called nutria, is a valuable fur.

A coypu looks and acts very much like a beaver. He is about three feet long, including his tail, and weighs about 20 pounds. His hind feet are webbed. He has strong cheek muscles and sharp teeth which he uses to cut down plants.

You'll find the coypu living in lakes and ponds. He usually burrows into the bank near the water to make his home. He originally lived in South America and is very common there. The coypu has also been introduced into Europe and North America where he is raised for his fur. There are many nutria or coypu farms in various parts of Canada and the United States today.