THE MOST INVASIVE CREATURES ON EARTH

THE SNAKEHEAD FISH

The northern snakehead, as it is also known, is a type of

snakehead fish native to China, Russia, North Korea, and

South Korea. In Europe, the first report of the species was

from Czechoslovakia (the Czech Republic) in 1956. In the

United States, the fish is considered to be a highly

invasive species, which has led to major media

coverage and two horror films.

THE COTTON WHITEFLY

The cotton whitefly has been reported on all continents except

Antarctica. It is believed the cotton whitefly has spread

throughout the world through the transport of plant

products that were infested with them. Once established,

it quickly spreads and through its feeding habits and the

transmission of diseases, it causes destruction

to crops everywhere.

THE EUROPEAN RABBIT

The feral European rabbit is one of the most widely distributed

and abundant mammals in Australia. It causes severe damage

to the natural environment and to agriculture. European rabbit

control is complicated because of welfare and harvesting issues

and because both native and introduced predators feed on

feral rabbits in many parts of Australia. An invader and

victim at the same time.

THE CANE TOAD

Cane toads were introduced to many countries as biological

control agents for various insect pests on sugarcane and

other crops. The cane toads have proved to be pests

themselves. They will feed on almost any terrestrial animal

and compete with native amphibians for food and

breeding habitats. Their toxic secretions are known to cause

illness and death in domestic animals that come in contact

with them, such as dogs and cats, and wildlife such as

snakes and lizards.

THE BLACK RAT

A native of the Indian subcontinent, the so-called black rat has

now spread throughout the world. It is widespread in forests

and woodlands as well as being able to live in and around

buildings. It will feed on and damage almost any edible thing.

To get an idea of how invasive this creature is, keep in mind it’s

most frequently identified with catastrophic declines of

birds on islands.

THE BROWN TREE SNAKE

When the brown tree snake was accidentally introduced to

Guam it caused the local extinction of most of the island’s

native bird and lizard species. It also caused “cascading”

ecological effects by removing native pollinators, causing

the subsequent decline of native plant species. The fragility

of the ecosystems of other Pacific islands to which cargo

flows from Guam has made the potential spread of the

brown tree snake from Guam a major concern.

THE LIONFISH

Beautiful and deadly the Lionfish are known for their voracious

appetite. Their overabundance is threatening life on coral reefs

which serve as habitats for other fish species. Native to the

Pacific Ocean, the Lionfish was traded for their bizarre

appearance which has led to their spread throughout the

Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic, and the Caribbean.

HUMANS

With a continuously growing population of over seven billion,

human beings have been responsible for the extinction of

various living organisms, from animals and insects to plants

and sea life. Additionally, no other living creature has

damaged the atmosphere, nature, and other humans

the way we have.