Wednesday, September 16, 2026
A truly dangerous invasion
The latest invasive species we are facing here in the US is the European Green Crab, which has recently expanded to the West Coast.
Apparently, the things are incredibly voracious, and devastate other shellfish like clams. The destroyed habitats on the East Coast in the 1800s, and still cause problems. The critters probably traveled as larvae on ships from one coast to the other.
It seems to be insurmountable challenge to engage in international commerce without spreading things other than what is traded. The leading invasive species in terms of destruction-- zebra mussels and Asian carp, for example-- traveled the same way.
How nasty are these things? Well, they are cannibalistic, often eating their own young. Yikes!
