Most Invasive The Rosy wolfsnail is a predatory snail specifically eating other snails. It can grow to be 10 cm long. Some physical features of the Rosy wolfsnail include: a long pair of eye stalks, a shorter tentacle pair below, and elongated lips. The snail can track it's prey with the use of its lips which have chemical sensors. These snails are cannibals and eat their own kind. The Rosy wolfsnail is very determined to get its prey, it will go long distances up trees or underwater to get a meal. Wolf snails prefer snails that are small and can be swallowed whole, but they will eat larger snails piece by piece. (9). Common Name: Rosy wolfsnail Scientific Name: Euglandina rosea Where on Earth is it a problem: The Rosy wolfsnail was introduced to Hawaii in 1955 to control the Giant African snail. Many native snail species of Hawaii are also disappearing, due to the Rosy wolfsnail. (10). Originally Hawaii had 750 species of snail, today more than half of these species are extinct. (11). Where did it come from?: Southeastern U.S.
Most Endangered The Manatee has been considered endangered since 1967, primarily from human actions such as boat collisions or destruction of their habitats. 416 manatees were killed in 2006 out of a population of 3,200 due to boat collisions. (7). Boats outnumber manatees 500 to 1. In addition, hunting and pesticides are another reason for the decrease in manatees. Manatees can drown or be crushed by flood control structures or become entangled in fishing nets. Also the slow reproduction rate of manatees cannot keep up with the death rate. (8) Common Name: Manatee Scientific Name: Antillean manatee Where does it live?: Shallow, slow-moving rivers, estuaries, saltwater bays, canals and coastal areas.
Favorite Keystone Dung beetles are beneficial and essential to ecosystems. Male and female dung beetles burrow holes into the ground to bury feces for their young to feed on. (4)(5). Dung beetles recycle the nutrients in feces, enrich the soil and prevent breeding grounds for flies. Dung beetles are useful for feeding on fly larvae. They have decreased the horn fly population by 95%. Dung beetles increase water absorption in the soil by burrowing in the ground. A group of dung beetles can remove a pile of dung with 24 hours. (6). Common Name: Dung Beetle Scientific Name: Scarabaeus viettei Where does it live?: Desert, farmland, forest, and grasslands. All the continents except Antartica.
Coolest Predator Adaptation Alligators are extremely quick to catch their prey. Contrary to the belief of being slow out of water, alligators can run at the speed of up to 20 miles per hour for a short period. Alligators have adapted to swallowing food whole with the use of their conical shaped teeth, meant for grabbing prey. In addition, alligators have the crushing power of 3,000 psi in their jaw. (2) (3) Common Name: American Alligator Scientific Name: Alligator mississippiensis Where does it live?: Freshwater rivers, lakes, swamps, and marshes of the southeastern U.S.
Coolest Prey Adaptation The Green Basilisk Lizard is also known as the Jesus Christ Lizard due to its ability to run on water. This species spends the majority of time in trees near bodies of water. To evade predators, It will drop into the water and sprint across about 5 feet per second. With the adaptations of long toes on their rear feet with fringes of skin that unfurl in the water, the Green Basilisk Lizard is capable of running across the water for about 15 feet. The basilisk is also an excellent swimmer and could last up to 30 minutes underwater if the predator continues to pursue it. (1) Common Name: Green Basilisk Lizard Scientific Name: Basiliscus plumifrons Where does it live?: The tropical rainforests of Central America from Southern Mexico to Panama.