Native vs. Non-Native Species

European Red Squirrel in Europe North American Grey Squirrel in Europe

Native species: An animal or plant that have developed, occurs naturally, and have existed for many years in an area

Coyote Mountain lion

Sequoia Tree

Non- Native species: An introduced plant or animal living outside its native region, which have arrived by human activity, either deliberate or accidental. They have NO natural predators allowing them to cause significant damage

Black Rat- spread across the world

American Bison- to Santa Catalina Island Zebra Mussel-

Great Lakes and San Francisco Bay

Invasive species: Is a non-native species that negatively affects its environment

Zebra Mussel in the Great Lakes

Burmese Python in the Florida Everglades

Zebra mussels on a crayfish

Extinction: A species goes extinct when the last living member dies. It is estimated that 99.9% of all species that ever lived are extinct.