Page 122 - One Million Things: Animal Life - The Incredible Visual Guide

ALIEN SPECIES

Animals that live together in a particular habitat have
evolved in ways that ensure an overall balance of numbers.
However, if alien species are introduced accidentally or
deliberately to a habitat, that balance can be destroyed. If the
invasive species has no natural predators and a good supply
of food, it will multiply uncontrollably and may cause native
species to disappear. The five examples below are among
the world’s worst invasive alien species.

STOAT CHINESE MITTEN CRAB
This small but ferocious predator was Named for its furry claws, this native
imported into New Zealand in the late of China arrived in Europe and the US
1880s to control rabbits, another on ships. It lives in fresh water and
introduced species. But these active breeds at an incredible rate. Mitten
hunters also eat eggs and chicks crabs will eat nearly anything—
and have had a devastating disrupting communities of native
effect on native bird species, animals—and cause erosion by
most notably the kiwi. digging burrows in riverbanks.

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