Some Of The Worst Invasive Species
A list of invasive species
There are many different invasive species all over the world, and each has very different attributes to its name. They take over their new ecosystem and throw it off balance. This is the danger of invasive species. This article will talk about some more commonly known invasive species.
The Asian carp is considered to be one of the most destructive invasive species. ‘Asian carp’ actually refers to a wide range of fish, including the common carp. These fish are particularly destructive as they are large, and have large appetites, leading them to compete for food with other fish native to the area. They have also been found to eat the eggs of native fish. They are rather resilient, which is good for them but not so much for other native species.
Another dangerous invasive species is the infamous Burmese python. Although not very dangerous to humans, these scaly creatures can be quite deadly. Since being discovered in the Florida Everglades, deer, raccoon, marsh rabbits, bobcats, and possum populations have dropped by as much as 99% for some. These were brought to the US as exotic pets but grew to be one of the Everglades’ top predators.
One less well known, but still quite harmful species is the emerald ash borer. This beetle likely made its way to the US through the wood it loves burying itself in. While it doesn’t look too dangerous, it is the cause of tens of millions of ash trees’ deaths alone. They ruin ash trees and prevent them from being used for many purposes.
These birds may not look like much but European starlings can be incredibly harmful to crops and farm animals. They are known to surround cattle, swarming and bothering them to steal their food. Starlings love eating fruits and grains. They also spread diseases such as E coli and salmonella through fecal matter, which can spread to water sources and farm animal feed.
Originally created by farmers during the 1980s, the feral swine, also called feral hogs or wild boars, has gotten quite a bit stronger and smarter. One main problem with these is catching them. Once they catch on, they are pretty good at staying hidden. They also spread disease, feast on crops, and cause other harm to the environment. It is estimated that $1.5 billion in agricultural damage.
All of these invasive species, and many more, have very different stories and are very harmful to the environment. They wreak havoc and cause many native species to go extinct. If people aren’t more careful, this situation could get worse and worse. These invasive species are incredibly harmful to their new environments.
RELATED STORIES:
https://www.history.com/news/invasive-species-list-mammals-birds-aquatic
https://brightly.eco/blog/invasive-species-in-north-america
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-worlds-worst-invasive-mammals-77341057/
https://interestingengineering.com/science/worst-invasive-species-humans-carried-around-earth
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