Unwanted plants are called weeds, obnoxious plants, or invasive species. What are unwanted animals called?

Unwanted animals are called vermin, pests, strays, parasites, or invasive species when they are considered to be harmful or destructive to people, other animals, plants, or crops.

For example, fleas are often referred to as parasitic, and rats are considered to be vermin because both carry disease.

Human-introduced animals in a region, which become harmful to the native species and the ecosystem, such as the goats on Galapagos Island, are called invasive species.

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM