Animal Invaders

This series looks at animals that have spread beyond their native habitats and taken over new territory. Animal Invaders provides a global perspective on the topic by including invasive species that have been both imported to and exported from North America.

Africanized Honey Bee

Honeybees are known for their familiar buzzing and honey production. Learn how an experiment meant to increase honey production created aggressive Africanized honeybees that have taken over… More →

American Mink

American mink have beautiful, thick, glossy fur. At one time, many were exported to other countries where farmers raised them for their fur. Find out what happened to native species when fur… More →

Asian Carp

Asian carp have big appetites and can leap out of the water when startled. They were brought to the United States from their native Asian habitats to control algae growth on fish farms. Find… More →

Australian Spotted Jellyfish

Swarms of the dinner-plate-size invasive Australian Spotted Jellyfish have been reported from East Texas to Florida in the Gulf of Mexico and along the Atlantic coastlines of Florida and… More →

Brown Treesnake

How the Brown Tree Snake made themselves at home, disrupted the island's ecosystem, and created problems for its people and native animals. More →

Bullfrog

Bullfrogs are big eaters, consuming almost anything that fits in their mouths. Meals include birds, turtles, snakes, and even other frogs. At one time, bullfrogs lived only in North America… More →

Cane Toad

Cane toads are known for their warty skin and poison glands. They were brought to Australia and other places to help control pests that were harming crops. Learn more about how the cane toad… More →

Emerald Ash Borer

Emerald Ash Borers have shiny green bodies and an appetite for ash trees. This native Asian insect hitchhiked to North America and has killed millions of ash trees. Learn more about the… More →

Fire Ant

Fire ants are tiny, but they pack a powerful sting. Some kinds of fire ants were accidentally brought to North America from South America in cargo ships. Look inside to learn how these… More →

Giant African Snail

How the Giant African Snail destroyed field crops and flower gardens and spread diseases to people thousands of miles from their native Africa. More →

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