Man in Louisiana Seen Driving With Nutria on Lap

People in south Louisiana have been known to have some odd pets, and one man was seen driving around New Orleans with a nutria on his lap.

I often tell people that when my father was young, he had a pet monkey for a day. Yes, there was a time when you could purchase exotic animals from a magazine, and you didn't need a license.

If you're wondering why my dad only had the pet monkey for a day, it's because he opened the cage and it got out, only to never return.

Now back to what someone spotted in the Crescent City. Our friend, Meteorologist Scott Pilie' posted a photo of someone driving in New Orleans, and on the driver's lap, with its head out the window, is a large nutria.

We aren't certain as to who was driving whom here, but by the looks of it, this nutria seemed to be enjoying itself while taking in some fresh air. Perhaps the driver raised the rodent, and it never left, but this is certainly something you don't see every day in NOLA.

The nutria has been labeled an invasive species in Louisiana, and just recently, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries encouraged people to eat more nutria because the nutria population in the Bayou State has exploded.

However, I don't think the man who is allowing this nutria to sit on his lap will be consuming it anytime soon, they appear to be great friends.

Here's the photo from New Orleans.

Here's a video of some hunters hunting the evasive species in Louisiana. And no, we don't think the nutria in the above photo has anything to worry about, unless it ever escapes.

And while some hunt them here, there are those who love the rodent and have "rescued" some. Remember this story?