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Invasive and nonnative animals in Arkansas

Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.

On this page
  1. Feral Hogs
  2. 2025 Arkansas Wildlife Action Plan, Chapter 2: Species of Greatest Conservation Need
  3. Red imported fire ant (Arkansas Arthropods)
  4. European hornet (Arkansas Arthropods)
  5. Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS)
  6. USGS established records
  7. How to report
  8. Sources

18 nonnative animals are named on 5 official lists for Arkansas: “Feral Hogs” (AGFC), “2025 Arkansas Wildlife Action Plan, Chapter 2: Species of Greatest Conservation Need” (AGFC), “Red imported fire ant (Arkansas Arthropods)” (University of Arkansas Arthropod Museum), “European hornet (Arkansas Arthropods)” (University of Arkansas Arthropod Museum) and “Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS)” (AGFC).

The USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database records an established population in Arkansas for 1 nonnative animal in the groups this guide covers.

To report a sighting, see how to report.

Being on a list of nonnative species does not always mean an animal is harmful or established: each list below is described in its source's terms. A sighting of a listed animal is still worth reporting to the agency.

Feral Hogs

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), undated page. 1 animal.

2025 Arkansas Wildlife Action Plan, Chapter 2: Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), 2025 plan. 3 animals.

Red imported fire ant (Arkansas Arthropods)

University of Arkansas Arthropod Museum (Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology), WordPress modified 2017-07-05. 1 animal.

European hornet (Arkansas Arthropods)

University of Arkansas Arthropod Museum (Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology), WordPress modified 2017-07-05. 1 animal.

Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS)

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), undated page. 12 animals.

  • Asian Clam Corbicula fluminea

    Detected in Arkansas AGFC

  • Bighead Carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis

    Detected in Arkansas AGFC

  • Black Carp Mylopharyngodon piceus

    Detected in Arkansas AGFC

  • Gapped Ringed Crayfish Orconectes neglectus chaenodactylus

    Detected in Arkansas AGFC

  • Giant Apple Snail Pomacea maculata

  • Japanese Mystery Snail Cipangopaludina japonica

    Detected in Arkansas AGFC

  • Northern Snakehead Channa argus

    Detected in Arkansas AGFC

  • Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix

    Detected in Arkansas AGFC

  • White Perch Morone americana

    Detected in Arkansas AGFC

  • Yellow Bass Morone mississippiensis

    Detected in Arkansas AGFC

  • Yellow Perch Perca flavescens

    Detected in Arkansas AGFC

  • Zebra Mussel
    Photo: Harukano · CC0 1.0 · iNaturalist

    Zebra Mussel Dreissena polymorpha

    Detected in Arkansas AGFC

Established in Arkansas, per USGS records

The U.S. Geological Survey's Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) database tracks nonnative aquatic animals. These have at least one record with the status "established" in Arkansas, which USGS defines as a population showing evidence of reproduction and overwinter survival.

AnimalGroupFirst recordLatest recordCounties
Nutria Myocastor coypusMammals1958201956

Source: U.S. Geological Survey. [2026]. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. Gainesville, Florida. Accessed [11/3/2026]. "Native Transplant" animals are native elsewhere in the US but not in Arkansas.

How to report a sighting in Arkansas

Nuisance wildlife hotline 833-345-0315, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., voicemail any time; alligator nuisance calls answered 24/7. Aquatic nuisance species sightings: AGFC Aquatic Nuisance Species Form (www.agfc.com/ans); suspected apple snails also to the ANS Program Coordinator at 501-604-0485. Mountain lion sightings with verifiable evidence: nearest AGFC office. AGFC AGFC AGFC

Do not try to catch or handle the animal. A photo taken from a safe distance, the place and the date help the agency.

Sources

  1. Feral Hogs. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Feral hogs are not native to the United States. They are an invasive species, a public nuisance and a threat to Arkansas.”
  2. 2025 Arkansas Wildlife Action Plan, Chapter 2: Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC). 2025 plan; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “…troublesome invasive species, such as nutria, black rats, and house mice”
  3. Red imported fire ant (Arkansas Arthropods). University of Arkansas Arthropod Museum (Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology). WordPress modified 2017-07-05; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “It reached southern Arkansas in 1950, probably through movement of untreated nursery stock.”
  4. European hornet (Arkansas Arthropods). University of Arkansas Arthropod Museum (Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology). WordPress modified 2017-07-05; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “…have recently found a home and breeding grounds in the Ozarks of Northwest Arkansas”
  5. Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS). Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (12)
    “Asian Clam (Corbicula fluminea)”
    “Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)”
    “Black Carp (Mylopharngodon piceus)”
    “Gapped Ringed Crayfish (oronectes neglectus chaenodactylus)”
    “Have apple snails been found in the wild in Arkansas? No, but if introduced they could establish and cause ecological and economic harm in Arkansas.”
    “Japanese Mystery Snail (Cipangopaludinia japonica)”
    “Northern Snakehead (Channa argus)”
    “Silver Carp (Hypophthlmichthys molitrix)”
    “White Perch (Morone Americana)”
    “Yellow Bass (Morone mississippiensis)”
    “Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens)”
    “Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha)”
  6. Nuisance Wildlife. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “The nuisance wildlife hotline, 833-345-0315, is available during 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. for immediate assistance, although voicemails can be left at any time that will be returned during normal working hours. Alligator nuisance calls will be answered 24/7 via an emergency liaison. … Report sightings immediately by filling out the Aquatic Nuisance Species Form … report the location immediately to AGFC at www.agfc.com/ans or immediately call the Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Program Coordinator, Matt Horton, at 501-604-0485 … The public is encouraged to contact their nearest AGFC office with any sightings of mountain lions with verifiable evidence.”
  7. Mountain lion carcass found on Sylamore WMA. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC). February 9, 2024; checked November 3, 2026.
  8. U.S. Geological Survey. [2026]. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. Gainesville, Florida. Accessed [11/3/2026].