The Global Invasive Species Database defines an alien invasive species as "an alien species which becomes established in natural or semi-natural ecosystems or habitat, is an agent of change, and threatens native biological diversity." Invasive animal types of the southeastern United States including Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi are grouped below:

	Invasive Amphibians Several non-native amphibians such as the Greenhouse frog (Eleutherodactylus planirostris) inhabit coastal areas of Alabama and Mississippi.
	Invasive Birds Invasive birds such as the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) and Common pigeon (Columba livia) are two examples of non-native species that have become invasive pests in the southeastern U.S.
	Invasive Fishes Invasive fishes such as the Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and Grass carp (Cyprinella lutrensis) are two examples of non-native fish species causing problems in the Southeast.
	Invasive Invertebrates Invasive invertebrates include organisms such as non-native invasive insects, crustaceans, jellyfish, and freshwater clams and snails.
	Invasive Mammals Some notable invasive mammals include the Nutria (Myocastor coypus), the Wild boar (Sus scrofa), and the Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

Ecological Impacts of Invasive Animals
Invasive animals negatively impact native animals and ecosystems. In addition, they cause economic harm through increased management and control costs, loss of recreation opportunities, and loss of valuable services provided by stable, functioning ecosystems.

Invasive Animals in the Southeastern United States
Additional information about invasive animals in the southeastern U.S. states including Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi is available from the Global Invasive Species Database by following the preceding links for each state.

---

For more information about invasive species, the U.S. EPA provides a thorough list of useful links to invasive species information, as does the National Invasive Species Information Center Resource Library.