Vertebrates

The table below is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all invasive species in Maryland, but includes species of concern to the Maryland Invasive Species Council (MISC). This list includes all updates approved as of the April 18, 2024 MISC meeting.

Scientific NameCommon NameTypeHabitatRegulated in Mid-Atlantic / US
Branta canadensis (non-migratory)Canada goose (non-migratory)BirdAquatic/WetlandN/A
Channa argusNorthern snakeheadFishAquaticDE, MD, PA, USFWS
Channa maculataSnakehead mulletFishAquaticDE, MD, PA, USFWS
Channa spp.Asian snakeheadsFishAquaticDE, MD, PA, USFWS
Clarias batrachusWalking catfishFishAquaticDE, MD, USFWS
Ctenopharyngodon idellaGrass carpFishAquaticDE, MD
Cygnus olorMute swanBirdAquatic/WetlandN/A
Cyprinella lutrensisRed shinerFishAquaticMD
Felis catus (unowned & owned outdoor)Cat, free-range (unowned & owned outdoor)MammalTerrestrialN/A
Gambusia affinisWestern mosquitofishFishAquaticN/A
Gymnocephalus cernuusEurasian ruffeFishAquaticMD, PA
Hypophthalmichthys molitrixSilver carpFishAquaticMD, PA
Hypophthalmichthys nobilisBighead carpFishAquaticMD, PA, USFWS
Ictalurus furcatusBlue catfishFishAquaticDE, MD
Misgurnus anguillicaudatusOriental weatherfishFishAquaticMD
Monopterus albusAsian swamp eelFishAquaticMD
Myiopsitta monachusQuaker parakeetBirdTerrestrialMD
Mylopharyngodon piceusBlack carpFishAquaticMD, PA, VA, USFWS
Myocastor coypusNutriaMammalWetland/AquaticVA
Neogobius melanostomusRound gobyFishAquaticMD, PA
Notropis volucellusMimic shinerFishAquaticMD
Passer domesticusHouse sparrowBirdTerrestrialVA
Pylodictis olivarisFlathead catfishFishAquaticDE, MD
Rattus norvegicusNorway ratMammalTerrestrialVA
Scardinius erythrophthalmusRuddFishAquaticMD, PA
Sturnus vulgarisEuropean starlingBirdTerrestrialMD, VA
Sus scrofa (feral type)Wild pigMammalTerrestrial/WetlandVA
Trachemys scripta elegansRed-eared sliderReptileAquatic/WetlandN/A
Trachemys scripta scriptaYellowbelly sliderReptileAquatic/WetlandN/A
Trachemys scriptaSliderReptileAquatic/WetlandN/A
Vandellia cirrhosaVampire fishFishAquaticMD