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An invasive species is a living thing that is introduced to a new environment and typically causes damage to their new ecosystem.

They can eat the food supply of native species and cause a decline in the native species population!

They usually have no natural predators, so their populations keep increasing.

Image credit: "Aquatic Invasive Species: Mussel fouled propeller from Lake Mead, Arizona" by Government of Alberta is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0T

Invasive species come from all over the globe.

There may be a species of animal or plant that is native to your area, but if you brought it somewhere else, it would be considered invasive!

The Burmese python, pictured on the right, is native to southeast Asia, but it is now invading Florida, because people let their pets escape!

"Pilot Python Elimination Program" by SFWMD is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

Invasive species can travel from one location to another in many different ways.

Aquatic invasive species such as mollusks, often travel via boat, latching themselves onto the hull and traveling for thousands of miles.

Plants often travel via human. The kudzu plant was brought to America on purpose for decoration. 

The government and trade with other countries can also introduce invasive species to new territory, not knowing the harm they will cause.

Invasive species can have many negative effects on the ecosystem in which they invade.

They consume the native species and food of native species, so the native species die out quicker.

They don’t have any natural predators, so they reproduce very quickly and nothing eats them so their populations grow very quickly!

by The Sands Kenya is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

In Florida, alligators eat fish and other small mammals. The Burmese Python also eats fish and other small mammals. When they Burmese python is introduced to the same ecosystem as the alligator, they eat all of the food that the alligators eat, so the alligators don’t get as much food. Because they have less food, the alligators begin to die, while the python takes over its new environment. 

"Florida Alligator in Canal from Shark Valley Everglades Wetlands" by Captain Kimo is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

There are some universal ways to help “stop” invasive species from harming the ecosystem they invade:

If you encounter an invasive species in the wild, remove it.

Check to make sure you’re not taking any native plant, animal, or bug with you when you travel.

Do not transport plants from other places, even as decoration.

Be careful with pets, and try not to let them into the wild.