What are invasive alien species?
Invasive alien species (IAS) are species that are introduced and become established in new habitats where they would not normally be found and have an adverse effect on their environment. IAS are capable of causing extinctions of native animals, diminishing biodiversity, and altering habitats. Exotic pets that escape or are deliberately released and successfully reproduce can become invasive by outcompeting native species, predating on them, or even introducing new diseases¹. It is estimated that most invasive vertebrate species have been introduced via the exotic pet trade². A small number of species that are formally classed as IAS are prohibited from being traded and kept as pets – although if they were already pets prior to the ban then, subject to certain rules, they can be kept until they die³˒⁴˒⁵.
