INVASIVE SPECIES

Hammerhead flatworms have been well-established in Texas for many years and are easy to spot due to their half-moon head shape.

The discovery of an invasive giant African land snail has prompted a quarantine in one Florida city.

The discovery of an invasive giant African land snail has prompted a quarantine in one Florida city.

Texas Parks and Wildlife officials are urging boaters to “clean, drain, dry” ahead of the holiday weekend to help prevent the spread of invasive zebra mussels.

Invasive species pose a significant threat to Texas lakes.

Silver carp, an invasive species that have the potential to devastate local ecosystems and “cause significant changes in native fish populations” through competition for food, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

A number of invasive worms and slugs have been seen in the San Antonio area recently after a few weeks of rainy weather.

Recently, a homeowner in the Kingsland area shared a photo to social media showing a float her family keeps in the water at Lake LBJ that’s completely covered in zebra mussels.

Invasive zebra mussels that are known to harm wildlife have now infested three more lakes -- Lake Brownwood, Inks Lake and Medina Lake -- according to Texas Parks and Wildlife officials.

Invasive zebra mussels that are known to harm wildlife have been detected at Medina Lake and could spread to nearby waterways, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

SAN ANTONIO – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is warning pet stores and pet owners about a moss ball aquarium plant that could be contaminated with invasive zebra mussels. The moss balls are sold as an aquarium plant under names including “Beta Buddy Marimo Balls,” “Mini Marimo Moss Balls,” and “Marimo Moss Ball Plant.”They are sold separately but also included in the sale of betta fish. “Zebra mussels can be recognized as small shellfish with triangular, brownish shells, often with their namesake zebra stripes, that may be attached to or growing inside the moss balls. Aquarium water should be replaced and filters and cartridges should be replaced or disinfected, TPWD said. Ad“Invasive species such as these zebra mussels and snails can hitchhike in aquatic plants sold for aquarium use,” said Monica McGarrity, Senior Scientist for Aquatic Invasive Species.

Invasive zebra mussels that can harm wildlife are overwhelming a North Texas lake, according to officials with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

SAN ANTONIO – An invasive flatworm has made its way into Texas and has been found throughout the San Antonio area, experts say. So I reached out to The Texas Invasive Species Institute and sent some pictures for confirmation. According to the Texas Invasive Species Institute, the tiny black worms made their way into the United States and were first spotted in Florida in 2015. In addition to the New Guinea flatworm, TISI also warned of another invasive species that can carry rat lungworm -- the Black Velvet Leatherleaf slug. (Texas Invasive Species Institute)The hammerhead flatworm, also known as the hammerhead slug is another invasive species in Texas.