Burmese Python

The over 20 feet pythons are Southeast Asia natives who established themselves in the Florida Everglades as escaped or released pets. These hypercarnivorous are a threat to native wildlife, because they eat anything they encounter- even alligators! Visit the hard-to-care-for mega-reptiles exhibit at the Oregon Zoo, to get a good look at these pythons. 

Photo Credit: Oregon Zoo (image cropped)

Red-Eared Slider

Red-Eared Slider’s are indigenous to the south central United States. These turtles are usually set free once owners grow tired of caring for them. They end up competing with native turtles, spreading parasites and disease. Help scientists track alien invaders by reporting turtle sightings on oregonturtles.com. 

Photo Credit: Oregon Zoo (image cropped)

American Bullfrog

Bullfrogs are native to the easter United States and threaten local wildlife when they escape from frog leg farms. In the Northwest region bullfrogs target western pond turtles and Oregon spotted frogs. The Oregon Zoo is currently working to improve the health of spotted frogs and pond turtles. 

Find out how to support the zoo’s efforts through Wildlife Partners. 

Photo Credit: Oregon Zoo (image cropped)

Veiled Chameleon

These Arabian reptiles are hiding specialist, popular as pets, fast reproducers, and ravenous hunters. These chameleons have become a problem for native wildlife in Hawaii, as state law bans importing and transporting a variety of exotic reptiles. Basically it is better for the animal and environment, to avoid releasing any pet into the wild.

Photo Credit: Oregon Zoo (image cropped)

Nutria (and Beaver)

The South American transplants have caused damage throughout the United States by eroding stream banks. You can see these large rodents in local natural areas like Smith and Bybee Wetlands.

The beaver is a invasive species in Patagonia where trees can’t continue to live once bitten or flooded. You can help protect wetland habitats by becoming a natural area site steward.

Photo Credit: Oregon Zoo (image cropped)

Rainbow Trout

The Rainbow Trout is one of the most popular hatchery fish in the United States and internationally, because it adapts to hatchery environments. Native to the Pacific states of the United States, the trout is immune to diseases and produces thousands of eggs at a young age. 

Photo Credit: Oregon Zoo (image cropped)

Nile Monitor

These creepy dragon looking lizards are native to Africa but have been seen in Florida’s West Palm Beach. They are good swimmers and can grow up to seven feet in length. They are often not recommend as pets because they are high maintenance. You can see these fascinating lizards at the Oregon Zoo. 

Photo Credit: Oregon Zoo (image cropped)

African Rock Python

The African Rock Python is Africa’s largest snake at 20-foot-long. The dangerous pythons have attacked and killed people in the past. The pythons constrict their prey because they lack venom. They python has also been colonizing in the United States in suburban Miami. 

Photo Credit: Oregon Zoo (image cropped)

Rabbit

The long floppy eared animal is a invasive species to Australia, as they are fruitful breeders. They also greedy eaters eating roots, tree bark, and leaves which are low in nutritional value. This is why they often reingest their feces to get extra nutritional value. 

Photo Credit: Oregon Zoo (image cropped)