States Wildlife
Menu

Invasive and nonnative animals in Georgia

Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.

On this page
  1. Argentine Black and White Tegus
  2. Osteopilus septentrionalis — Nonindigenous Aquatic Species fact sheet
  3. Feral Hog Management
  4. Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) in Georgia
  5. Cane Toad - Collections (Georgia)
  6. Greenhouse Frog - Collections (Georgia)
  7. Nile Monitor - Collections (Georgia)
  8. Burmese Python - Collections (Georgia)
  9. nutria - Collections (Georgia)
  10. giant applesnail - Collections (Georgia)
  11. green mussel - Collections (Georgia)
  12. Australian spotted jellyfish - Collections (Georgia)
  13. Indo-Pacific swimming crab - Collections (Georgia)
  14. Managing Joro Spiders in the Landscape (Circular 1289)
  15. Yellow-legged Hornet FAQ
  16. Spotted Lanternfly
  17. Managing Imported Fire Ants in Urban Areas (Bulletin 1191)
  18. USGS established records
  19. How to report
  20. Sources

32 nonnative animals are named on 17 official lists for Georgia: “Argentine Black and White Tegus” (Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division), “Osteopilus septentrionalis — Nonindigenous Aquatic Species fact sheet” (US Geological Survey), “Feral Hog Management” (Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division), “Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) in Georgia” (Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division), “Cane Toad - Collections (Georgia)” (USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database), “Greenhouse Frog - Collections (Georgia)” (USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database), “Nile Monitor - Collections (Georgia)” (USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database), “Burmese Python - Collections (Georgia)” (USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database), “nutria - Collections (Georgia)” (USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database), “giant applesnail - Collections (Georgia)” (USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database), “green mussel - Collections (Georgia)” (USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database), “Australian spotted jellyfish - Collections (Georgia)” (USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database), “Indo-Pacific swimming crab - Collections (Georgia)” (USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database), “Managing Joro Spiders in the Landscape (Circular 1289)” (University of Georgia Cooperative Extension), “Yellow-legged Hornet FAQ” (Georgia Department of Agriculture), “Spotted Lanternfly” (Georgia Department of Agriculture) and “Managing Imported Fire Ants in Urban Areas (Bulletin 1191)” (University of Georgia Cooperative Extension).

The USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database records an established population in Georgia for 3 nonnative animals 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.

Argentine Black and White Tegus

Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division, undated page. 1 animal.

Osteopilus septentrionalis — Nonindigenous Aquatic Species fact sheet

U.S. Geological Survey, Revision Date 6/12/2024. 1 animal.

Feral Hog Management

Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division, undated page. 1 animal.

Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) in Georgia

Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division, undated page. 16 animals.

Cane Toad - Collections (Georgia)

USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database, database queried November 3, 2026. 1 animal.

Greenhouse Frog - Collections (Georgia)

USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database, database queried November 3, 2026. 1 animal.

Nile Monitor - Collections (Georgia)

USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database, database queried November 3, 2026. 1 animal.

Burmese Python - Collections (Georgia)

USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database, database queried November 3, 2026. 1 animal.

nutria - Collections (Georgia)

USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database, database queried November 3, 2026. 1 animal.

giant applesnail - Collections (Georgia)

USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database, database queried November 3, 2026. 1 animal.

green mussel - Collections (Georgia)

USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database, database queried November 3, 2026. 1 animal.

Australian spotted jellyfish - Collections (Georgia)

USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database, database queried November 3, 2026. 1 animal.

Indo-Pacific swimming crab - Collections (Georgia)

USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database, database queried November 3, 2026. 1 animal.

Managing Joro Spiders in the Landscape (Circular 1289)

University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, August 27, 2026. 1 animal.

Yellow-legged Hornet FAQ

Georgia Department of Agriculture, undated page. 1 animal.

Spotted Lanternfly

Georgia Department of Agriculture, undated page. 1 animal.

Managing Imported Fire Ants in Urban Areas (Bulletin 1191)

University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, March 5, 2026. 1 animal.

Established in Georgia, 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 Georgia, which USGS defines as a population showing evidence of reproduction and overwinter survival.

AnimalGroupFirst recordLatest recordCounties
Cuban Treefrog Osteopilus septentrionalisFrogs and Toads2004202522
Greenhouse Frog Eleutherodactylus planirostrisFrogs and Toads199820247
Lionfish Pterois volitans/milesSharks and Marine Life200120151

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 Georgia.

How to report a sighting in Georgia

Wildlife conflict advice: Georgia DNR 1-800-366-2661. Mountain lion sightings: regional WRD Game Management office (Region 1 706-295-6041; Region 2 770-535-5700; Region 3 706-595-4222; Region 4 229-426-5267; Region 5 229-430-4254; Region 6 912-262-3173), after hours 800-241-4113. Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division

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. Argentine Black and White Tegus. Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Growing up to 4 feet long and weighing 10 pounds or more, this lizard native to South America is an invasive species that threatens Georgia wildlife.”
  2. Osteopilus septentrionalis — Nonindigenous Aquatic Species fact sheet. U.S. Geological Survey. Revision Date 6/12/2024; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “In the United States, the Osteopilus septentrionalis is established throughout Florida in the peninsula and panhandle, as well as along the Atlantic coast to Savanah, Georgia”
  3. Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) in Georgia. Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (15)
    “Native to the Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers in Georgia, their popularity resulted in illegal introduction throughout many other large state waterbodies, including Lake Lanier in the early 1970's.”
    “Native throughout much of the Atlantic coast north of Georgia, alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) have been introduced in several inland waterbodies, including Lakes Carters and Allatoona, and the Coosa and Savannah Rivers.”
    “Found in multiple locations in Georgia but native to Asia, India, and China, the Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus) is not a true eel.”
    “Native to Indo-Pacific, Asian, and Australian waters, Asian tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) are now found along the southeast and Gulf coasts of the United States, including Georgia.”
    “One of the largest freshwater catfish species in North America, blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) are native only to the Coosa River in Georgia but have been illegally introduced into several rivers, including the Ocmulgee, Oconee, Altamaha and Satilla (to name a few).”
    “Georgia DNR staff have recently been receiving reports of a new non-native marine crab being found along the Georgia coast.”
    “An anadromous species native along much of the Atlantic coast, including Georgia, blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis) have been introduced in several inland waterbodies.”
    “Chinese (Cipangopaludina chinensis) and Japanese (Cipangopaludina japonica) Mystery Snails both continue to be found in Georgia.”
    “Native only to the Coosa River in Georgia, flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) have decimated the popular redbreast sunfish and bullhead fisheries in the Altamaha River since their illegal introduction in the mid-1970s.”
    “Island Apple Snails (Pomacea insularum) are originally native to South America.”
    “Since its first sighting in the Atlantic off the Florida coast in 1985, the northern expansion of the lionfish (Pterois miles) population has created much concern for fishery managers.”
    “In October 2019, the first confirmed northern snakehead in GA was captured and reported by an angler in Gwinnett County.”
    “Oriental weather loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus), a common aquarium species native to Eurasia and north Africa that is sometimes used as bait but one that had never been reported in Georgia.”
    “While the species is not native to most of Georgia, it has been introduced into various waterbodies in Georgia in recent years.”
    “This smaller Morone species has been introduced into other locales in Georgia, including the Coosa, Etowah and Oostanaula rivers, Rocky Mountain Public Fishing Area, and Carter's Lake.”
  4. Cane Toad - Collections (Georgia). USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database. database queried November 3, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
  5. Greenhouse Frog - Collections (Georgia). USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database. database queried November 3, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
  6. Nile Monitor - Collections (Georgia). USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database. database queried November 3, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
  7. Burmese Python - Collections (Georgia). USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database. database queried November 3, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
  8. nutria - Collections (Georgia). USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database. database queried November 3, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
  9. giant applesnail - Collections (Georgia). USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database. database queried November 3, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
  10. green mussel - Collections (Georgia). USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database. database queried November 3, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
  11. Australian spotted jellyfish - Collections (Georgia). USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database. database queried November 3, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
  12. Indo-Pacific swimming crab - Collections (Georgia). USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database. database queried November 3, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
  13. Managing Joro Spiders in the Landscape (Circular 1289). University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. August 27, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “The Joro spider, Trichonephila clavata, (Figure 1) is a native of Japan and East Asia that was first documented in the United States in 2014 in northeast Georgia (Figure 2). The initial population appeared to be centered around Braselton and Hoschton, GA, along I-85.”
  14. Yellow-legged Hornet FAQ. Georgia Department of Agriculture. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Currently, Yellow-legged Hornets have only been detected in the Savannah area, specifically in Chatham, Bryan, Effingham, and Liberty counties.”
  15. Spotted Lanternfly. Georgia Department of Agriculture. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Notably, the first live population in Georgia was found in Fulton County in October 2024, marking the only known presence of this pest in the state.”
  16. Managing Imported Fire Ants in Urban Areas (Bulletin 1191). University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. March 5, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “More than 65 years ago, the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, was accidentally brought into Mobile, Alabama, from South America.”
  17. Feral Hog Management. Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Feral hogs are an invasive species that can cause extensive damage to native flora and fauna, agricultural crops, livestock, forest regeneration, and the environment.”
  18. Preventing Wildlife Conflicts. Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Need more advice? Call 1-800-366-2661.”
  19. U.S. Geological Survey. [2026]. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. Gainesville, Florida. Accessed [11/3/2026].