15 Scariest Invasive Species In The World

From giant murder hornets on the loose in North America ... tp jellyfish taking over the Mediterranean, here are 15 of the world’s scariest invasive species!

Subscribe to Epic Wildlife http://goo.gl/6rzs5u

15. Mediterranean Jellyfish
One factor that enables species to take hold in new areas is climate change. There is no better example of this than what is happening in the Mediterranean sea. You can deny it all you want people, but sea creatures don’t lie!

14. Green Iguanas
These lizards have more in common with humans that you think. And this is particularly true in South Florida. Iguanas enjoy the nice scenery and swimming pools, where they’re often found. They’ve also been known to hit the links at golf courses, and are commonly seen around pedestrians on sidewalks.

13. Asian Carp
Asian Carp are a strong lesson about how foreign species can affect an ecosystem. Now, many waterways in the United States are suffering from what was initially a well motivated decision. They were introduced in the South East to clear vast areas of weeds and parasites in order to breathe new life into the rivers, but the surprising and unforeseen consequences have come at a high price.

12. Giant Hogweed
Moving from the animal kingdom, we’ve listed a couple of invasive plant species that are cause for concern. This one is also known as the Giant Cow Parsnip. And in certain parts of the world, it’s considered to be a very invasive plant species. Reaching heights of 20 feet (6 m) with a stem that can measure 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter, this is definitely one of the scarier stationary plants out there.

11. Javan Mongooses
While this species originates in South and Southeast Asia, they’ve been introduced to many regions as a form of pest control. That includes Hawaii and certain parts of the Caribbean where rats threatened the sugarcane industry in the 1800s.

10. Green Anacondas
Specimens of these big reptiles captured in Florida have measured around 9 feet long (2.7 m). Those were probably juveniles, because a mature anaconda can measure more than 17 feet (5.2 m) and weigh over 150 pounds (70 kg).

9. Murder Hornets
That’s a scary rebrand for these insects, but you might know them better as Asian Giant Hornets. They’re one of the most feared hornets in the world thanks to their potent venom and aggressive behavior.

8. Kudzu
This fast-growing vine was first introduced to the US in 1876, and is native to Japan. Its intended purpose was to assist in inhibiting soil erosion. But Kudzu has been spreading across the US at the rate of around 150,000 acres (607 sq km) each year.

7. Northern Snakehead Fish
This animal is sometimes called “Fishzilla” because it can grow nearly 5 feet long (1.5m) and weigh over 18 pounds (8 kg). They originate in China, but have been introduced to other parts of the world where they’ve become a highly invasive species.

6. Cane Toads
They’re big beasts, with Guinness reporting that the llargest known specimen measured 14 inches (36 cm) and weighed over 5 pounds (2.3 kg)! Their voracious appetites endanger many native species.

5. Feral Monkeys
Rhesus Macaque monkeys can weigh about 17 pounds (8 kg) and are identified by their pink faces. While native to Central and Southeast Asia, they are listed as a globally invasive species.

4. Asian Tiger Mosquito
Mosquitoes are generally viewed as pests, but this one is especially nasty. Identified by their black and white markings, which resemble tiger-like stripes. The insects are native to Southeast Asia rainforests, but have spread across the globe to Africa, Europe and to the United States.

3. Tegu Lizards
It’s a black and white reptile that can weigh around 30 pounds (14 kg), measure 4 feet long (123 cm), and is known to have powerful claws, jaws … and very sharp teeth. It’s native to South America, but more than 100 sightings of the critters have been reported in Florida.

2. Nile Perch
Measuring more than 6 feet (3 m) and weighing up to 400 pounds (181 kg), these fish are regarded as one of the planet’s most notorious invasive species. They’re native to freshwater lakes and rivers in Africa. After being introduced to Lake Victoria in 1950, their population exploded in the 1980’s.

1. Burmese Pythons
This beast ranks as one of Florida's signature invasive species. They first started showing up in the 1980s and their population has ballooned ever since, with many of them now found in the Everglades.

#scariest #invasive #species #animals #creatures #wildlife #invasion #discoveries #wild #nature #epicwildlife

Silver Carp, Asian Carp Regional Coordinating CommitteeCC BY 2.0
Giant hogweed on the River Bann, HENRY CLARK, CC BY-SA 2.0
File:Lates niloticus 2, CC BY 2.0, smudger888
Lates niloticus by DaijuAzuma, Daiju Azuma , CC BY-SA 4.0
Nile perch on Gaba landing site, Faintsmoke, CC BY-SA 4.0
File:Giant Sea Bass, Caitlin Childs, CC BY-SA 2.0
Kudzu, Katie AshdownFollow, CC BY 2.0

Видео 15 Scariest Invasive Species In The World канала Epic Wildlife