9 Invasive Species In The US (PHOTOS)

In 2006, the US spent 1.2 billion dollars fighting invasive species. That figure does not include the costs of the animals themselves, which cause property damage, crowd out and eat endangered animals, root up crops, attack people, and just generally make things difficult.

These species are diverse, from all different continents, but they have one thing in common: people put them here. Whether unintentionally on shipments from Asia or Africa, or former pets released into the wild, these animals (and one plant) have turned America into their predator-free playground.

We've gathered up only nine invasive species in this slideshow, but there are literally hundreds more pest, plant, and animal immigrants out there.

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Africanized honeybee

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In 1957 a prominent scientist imported African Honey Bees to his lab to breed them with native honey bees. A few bees escaped the lab, forming swarms that spread across South America and up into the southern United States. Now the "killer bees" have been confirmed in Texas, Nevada, Arizona, California, and New Mexico. They are quick to defend themselves, and have been known to kill human and animals by inflicting 500 or more stings. They have also been known to chase someone for a quarter mile. If you encounter a swarm or disturb a nest the USDA advises you to RUN (their emphasis) and don’t stop running until you reach shelter or you’ve outrun them completely. Don’t jump in the water; they will wait for you to come up for air. Once you are in a safe place, pull out any stingers by scraping it out sideways with your nail or a credit card.

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In 1957 a prominent scientist imported African Honey Bees to his lab to breed them with native honey bees. A few bees escaped the lab, forming swarms that spread across South America and up into the southern United States. Now the "killer bees" have been confirmed in Texas, Nevada, Arizona, California, and New Mexico.

They are quick to defend themselves, and have been known to kill human and animals by inflicting 500 or more stings. They have also been known to chase someone for a quarter mile.

If you encounter a swarm or disturb a nest the USDA advises you to RUN (their emphasis) and don’t stop running until you reach shelter or you’ve outrun them completely. Don’t jump in the water; they will wait for you to come up for air. Once you are in a safe place, pull out any stingers by scraping it out sideways with your nail or a credit card.

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Comments

[pyecat]

07:30 PM on 11/19/2010

Um.. constrictors aren't deadly.

There are other snakes in the region (namely vipers) that are worse.

Most large pythons that have killed small infants are usually ones that have been kept as pets and haven't been fed or cared for properly (probably because the owners don't really know anything about how to feed/care for them). Having a large snake too large for a cage with a baby in the house is just plain ignorant.

[milomilano]

10:22 AM on 11/19/2010

Glad I live up north .

[deweydecimal]

12:52 PM on 11/19/2010

Don't be there's plenty of invasive species to go around.

[Vantunow]

03:40 PM on 10/04/2010

Florida is trying to wipe us out.

[spearsspears]

11:45 PM on 09/25/2010

They forgot kudzu.

[brokerthanu]

09:20 PM on 09/25/2010

Wow, is the F-State the gateway, or what?

[GlorianaLaurBeans]

10:29 PM on 09/24/2010

We're the most invasive species EVER but funny enough, we're never on any lists of invasive species. Mwa ha ha! Ah, I love the view from atop the food chain.

[Tommygun264]

06:59 AM on 09/24/2010

The assertion that giant African snails "don't bite" is technically true. However, the thick mucus they secrete can harden around the edges of their mouths and produce a painful pinch that feels like a bite. They have completely invaded the Hawaiian islands. However, between the cats, birds (including feral chickens in the rural and mountain areas), rats, mice and mongoose; plus given the rapid rate at which vegetation grows here; they aren't overpopulated to the point that they pose a significant threat to cultivated crops or wild flora.

[caroline gray]

02:06 AM on 09/24/2010

oooo Tegu how coool :D

[Truth In Voting]

05:42 PM on 09/23/2010

The size of that giant snail almost made me puke. One of those things could theoretically and realistically smother a human infant! Wow, I think I just discovered a new phobia.

[Tommygun264]

07:03 AM on 09/24/2010

I don't think African snails possess the intent necessary to smother an infant. In fact they instinctively retreat from moving things larger than themselves and even when picked up tend to move away from the mouth.

[lolawants1117]

12:56 PM on 09/23/2010

Rock snot = primordial ooze! Evolution is at work, folks.

[lexingtonKY]

10:36 AM on 09/23/2010

If it take up to a year to ban invasive species, then maybe the better route would be to green light only species that proven to be non-invasive?!?

[ms mel]

10:20 AM on 09/23/2010

Where are the stinkbugs??

[Kathleen Morse]

10:11 AM on 09/23/2010

You know, I just had a brilliant idea! Since we can't be trusted to know it is absolutely horrific to buy these pitiful creatures, why don't we stop them from being sold legally? I doubt if gramma had to go on the black market to buy little Jimmy a pet pig, she wouldn't be so quick to do so. Allowing these creatures to be sold by PETCO and other "pet stores" would go a long way to stop release in the wild, animal smuggling and the "puppy mills" that so inhumanely exist everywhere. Papers being sold to unlicensed, un-inspected breeders by Kennel clubs, so these disgusting practices are easy to hide, also make me sick. Hopefully the movement in this country to stop the anguish visited on all living creatures will keep spreading. As a species, human beings are indeed the virus of the earth.

[MrBadExample]

09:59 AM on 09/23/2010

what? No Chinese Snake-Head fish?
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/07/0702_020702_snakehead.html

I was on a trip through Orange County in NY State and a guide pointed out a dead lake. The lake had been deliberately 'killed' when snake-head fish had been found. These things are ravenous and have no natural enemies here, and they can walk on land for upwards of a mile in search of new habitat.

[piul05]

08:45 AM on 09/23/2010

Those snails...and I complain about my little slugs eating all the cilantro...