HERE'S MY TOP FIVE WANTED LIST OF INVASIVE SPECIES!
CONSTRICTORS: Big constrictors squeeze the life out of mammalian prey and ecosystems. The U.S. Geological Survey says nine species of pythons, a type of snake that can range from 12 to 28 feet in length, pose a medium- to high-risk threat to ecosystem health
ASIAN CARP: Asian carp; including the common, black and bighead variety were brought to the U.S. in the 1970s as live vacuum cleaners meant to remove algae and suspended matter from ponds. These fish can grow to 100 pounds and will eat just about anything
ZEBRA MUSSELS: Zebra mussels originally smuggled their way into the U.S. in the ballast water of boats and have clogged the inside of pipes since the 1980s
INDIAN MONGOOSE: The small Indian mongoose, reaching no more than a foot or two in height, was originally brought to Puerto Rico and the Hawaiian islands to protect sugar cane fields from rat and snake damage. But instead of acting as an aid for crowd control, the mongoose quickly became a hindrance, harming far more wildlife than anticipated
STARLINGS: Starlings occupy most of North America, steal nesting sites from other birds and rob the agriculture industry of $800 million dollars annually by damaging fields.
Do you have your own tips for Dr. Greenie? Planet Echo members can suggest their own ideas in the box below. If Dr. Greenie agrees, we'll post it on this page!