List of invasive species in California facts for kids

Invasive species in California are plants and animals that have been brought to California from other places and have started to spread and live here naturally. These species are not native, meaning they didn't originally come from California.

When these new species arrive, they can cause big problems for California's native plants and animals. Native species are those that have lived in California for a very long time. Invasive species can threaten native plants and animals, sometimes even pushing them towards becoming endangered. This can happen in natural habitats like forests and rivers, or in areas where people live and work, such as farms and cities.

What Are Invasive Species?

An invasive species is a plant or animal that is not from a certain area, but has been introduced there and causes harm. This harm can be to the environment, the economy, or even human health. They often spread quickly because they don't have their natural enemies (like predators or diseases) in their new home.

How Do They Get Here?

Invasive species often arrive by accident. They can hitch a ride on ships, planes, or even in people's luggage. Sometimes, people bring them on purpose, like for pets or garden plants, and then they escape into the wild.

Why Are They a Problem?

Invasive species can:

• Outcompete native species: They might take over food, water, or space that native plants and animals need.
• Change habitats: They can change the soil, water, or fire patterns, making it hard for native species to survive.
• Spread diseases: Some invasive species carry diseases that can harm native wildlife or even people.
• Cause economic damage: They can harm crops, livestock, or damage buildings, costing a lot of money to control.

Invasive Animals in California

Many different types of animals have become invasive in California. They can cause problems for native wildlife and sometimes for people too.

Mammals and Their Impact

• Black rat: These rats can eat bird eggs and chicks, harming native bird populations.
• Nutria: Also called coypu, these large rodents eat a lot of plants and can destroy wetlands, which are important habitats.
• Fallow deer and Axis deer: These deer can eat native plants, competing with native deer and damaging forests. The Axis deer has been successfully removed from California.
• Feral cat and Feral dog: These are domestic animals that live in the wild. They hunt native birds and small mammals, which can greatly reduce their numbers.
• Wild boar: These pigs can dig up large areas of land, destroying plants and disturbing soil, which harms native ecosystems.

Birds and Their Spread

• Common starling: These birds compete with native birds for nesting spots and food.
• Red-masked parakeet: These colorful birds, often escaped pets, can form large flocks and compete for food resources.
• Rock dove: Also known as pigeons, they can spread diseases and compete with native birds.
• House sparrow: These small birds are very common and can outcompete native songbirds for food and nesting sites.
• Eurasian collared dove: This dove has spread rapidly across North America and competes with native doves.

Reptiles and Amphibians

• Red-eared slider: These turtles are often released pets. They compete with native turtles for food and basking spots and can spread diseases.
• American bullfrog: These large frogs eat almost anything, including native frogs, fish, and even small birds. They are a major threat to native amphibian populations.
• African clawed frog: Another frog often released from pet stores, it can also outcompete and prey on native species.

Fish and Invertebrates

• Snakehead: These fish are aggressive predators that can harm native fish populations. They have been removed from California.
• European green crab: This crab eats many different shellfish and can destroy important habitats like oyster beds.
• Chinese mitten crab: These crabs can damage fishing nets, clog water pipes, and compete with native crabs.
• Argentine ant: These ants form huge colonies and can outcompete native ants, affecting the entire ecosystem.
• Red imported fire ant: These ants have painful stings and can harm native wildlife and even people. They also damage crops and electrical equipment.
• New Zealand mud snail: These tiny snails can reproduce very quickly and take over streams, outcompeting native snails and insects.

Invasive Plants in California

Invasive plant species can take over large areas, pushing out native plants that provide food and shelter for native animals.

Common Invasive Plants and Their Growth

• Arundo donax — giant reed: This tall grass grows very quickly along rivers and streams, using up a lot of water and making it hard for native plants to grow. It also increases fire risk.
• Carpobrotus edulis — iceplant: Often planted for erosion control, iceplant forms dense mats that smother native plants and change soil conditions.
• Centaurea solstitialis — yellow starthistle: This plant has sharp spines and can form dense patches that are harmful to livestock and outcompete native grasses.
• Eucalyptus globulus — blue gum: These trees were brought from Australia. They grow quickly and can drop a lot of leaves, which makes the soil different and can increase fire intensity.
• Hedera canariensis — Algerian ivy: This ivy can climb over and smother native trees and shrubs, blocking sunlight.
• Rubus armeniacus — Himalayan blackberry: This plant forms dense, thorny thickets that are hard to walk through and can take over large areas, pushing out native plants.
• Tamarix ramosissima — salt cedar: This shrub uses a lot of water and can make the soil saltier, which harms native plants that aren't adapted to salty conditions.
• Vinca major — periwinkle: Often used as a groundcover, periwinkle can escape gardens and form dense mats that prevent native plants from growing.

What Can Be Done?

Controlling invasive species is a big job. It often involves removing them by hand, using special tools, or sometimes using chemicals. Preventing new invasive species from arriving is also very important. This includes being careful about what plants you buy for your garden and never releasing pets into the wild.

See also

• List of native plants in California
• List of invasive plant species in California
• List of invasive species
• Lists of invasive species
• Invasive species in the United States