Despite the majority of organisms living peacefully on Earth with their natural environment, there are plenty of creatures that are more than a little invasive. An invasive species, for those who may not know, is a type of plant or animal that is not native to any specific area of the world, but tends to move in and cause damage to the environment shortly after arrival. Invasive creatures are known to cause extinction level events for many organisms, though they may not always appear dangerous. Here are seven of the most invasive creatures known to mankind.
7. American Comb Jelly
The American Comb Jelly is found in temperate, subtropical oceanic environments along the Atlantic Coast of North and South America. They were accidentally introduced to the Black Sea, where they devastated the ecosystem.
6. The Nile Perch
6. The Nile Perch
The Nile Perch is a massive freshwater fish known to grow up to 200 kilograms and reach two meters in length. They were introduced to Lake Victoria in 1954, and have now been the cause of over two hundred fish species going extinct.
5. Cats
5. Cats
The domesticated cat, which can be found three thousand years ago in the eastern Mediterranean area, is the most invasive creature known on Earth. Cats are valued as pets, but they are notable predators, threatening birdlife and fauna.
4. Cannibal Snail
4. Cannibal Snail
The Cannibal Snail was first introduced to the Indian and Pacific Ocean islands sometime in the 1950’s, and will, as its name suggests, eat almost anything around, including their own kind.
3. The Cane Toad
3. The Cane Toad
The Cane Toad has been introduced to plenty of countries as a form of biological control against insect pests near sugarcane and other crops. They tend to be pests themselves, though, as they cause illnesses and death in domesticated animals.
2 .The Black Rat
2 .The Black Rat
The Black Rat was originally native to just the Indian subcontinent, but has now spread throughout the entire world. They live in and around buildings, and feed on almost anything, damaging it in the process, including electrical wires and infrastructure.
1. The Brown Tree Snake
1. The Brown Tree Snake
The Brown Tree Snake was accidentally introduced to Guam, and has now caused the extinction of local birds and lizard species. They also removed native pollinators, causing a substantial decline in plant species on the island.