An invasion of dangerous three-foot rat-like creatures with orange teeth is wreaking havoc across California, threatening the safety of residents and the state's economy.
Nearly 1,000 nutria - one of the largest rodent species - had already been hunted down in the Bay Area this year.
But the creatures have now made way into Contra Costa County's California Delta - which is one the state's most crucial water sources and ecological sites, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
Also known as Coypu, the animals, which weigh around 20 pounds, pose a threat to humans, livestock and pets, and cause widespread destruction across wetlands.
They are known to carry tapeworms and are hosts for potentially deadly diseases such as tuberculosis and septicemia. They are also carriers for blood and liver flukes that can lead to infection through exposure to contaminated water, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Nutria look similar to beavers, with the distinction of highly arched backs and 'long, thin, round, sparsely haired tails rather than wide, flat tails like that of a beaver,' according to the CFWD.
The rodents are usually found near permanent water sources and have large bright orange teeth as well as a white muzzle and whiskers.
Since the first nutria, a pregnant female, was discovered on a private wetland in March of 2017 in California, 5,042 of the species have been killed in the state.
Officials are urging locals to 'immediately' report and photograph any sightings or potential signs of their presence to their state wildlife department.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesman Peter Tira told SFGate: 'We cannot have nutria reproducing in the delta. The threat to California’s economy is too great.'
The spread is particularly alarming due to the animal's prolific reproductive rate - with females giving birth to as many as 27 offspring per year.
They also breed all year round, producing two to three litters each with two to nine young per litter.
On top of this there is no natural predator keeping its population in check.
In some states, including California, the rodents are listed on the prohibited species list, which outlaws their importation, possession, exchange, purchase, sale and transportation.
It is legal to shoot the animal outside of city limits or wildlife control officers can kill them using humane euthanasia.
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