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Invasive and nonnative animals in Nevada

Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.

On this page
  1. AIS Threats to Nevada's Waters: Quagga/Zebra Mussels and New Zealand Mudsnails
  2. American Bullfrog - Species Information
  3. Mediterranean House Gecko - Species Information
  4. Red-eared Slider - Species Information
  5. European Starling - Species Information
  6. Rock Pigeon - Species Information
  7. Mosquito Surveillance
  8. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species list for Nevada (all-groups first page, plus Mollusks and Reptiles group queries)
  9. How to report
  10. Sources

22 nonnative animals are named on 8 official lists for Nevada: “AIS Threats to Nevada's Waters: Quagga/Zebra Mussels and New Zealand Mudsnails” (NDOW), “American Bullfrog - Species Information” (NDOW), “Mediterranean House Gecko - Species Information” (NDOW), “Red-eared Slider - Species Information” (NDOW), “European Starling - Species Information” (NDOW), “Rock Pigeon - Species Information” (NDOW), “Mosquito Surveillance” (Southern Nevada Health District) and “Nonindigenous Aquatic Species list for Nevada (all-groups first page, plus Mollusks and Reptiles group queries)” (US Geological Survey).

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.

AIS Threats to Nevada's Waters: Quagga/Zebra Mussels and New Zealand Mudsnails

Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), uploaded 2021-09. 3 animals.

  • New Zealand mudsnail Potamopyrgus antipodarum

    Salmon Falls Creek drainage, Beaver Dam State Park, Lake Mead NRA, Lower Colorado River, Maggie Creek, Humboldt River near Carlin NDOW

  • Quagga mussel Dreissena bugensis

    Lake Mead NRA and the lower Colorado River system NDOW

  • Zebra mussel
    Photo: Harukano · CC0 1.0 · iNaturalist

    Zebra mussel

    Not currently present (threat, per an undated NDOW document) NDOW

American Bullfrog - Species Information

Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), undated page. 1 animal.

Mediterranean House Gecko - Species Information

Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), undated page. 1 animal.

Red-eared Slider - Species Information

Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), undated page. 1 animal.

European Starling - Species Information

Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), undated page. 1 animal.

Rock Pigeon - Species Information

Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), undated page. 1 animal.

Mosquito Surveillance

Southern Nevada Health District, undated page. 1 animal.

Nonindigenous Aquatic Species list for Nevada (all-groups first page, plus Mollusks and Reptiles group queries)

U.S. Geological Survey, database queried November 3, 2026. 13 animals.

How to report a sighting in Nevada

NDOW dispatch 775-688-1331 for wildlife emergencies and residential mountain lion sightings; Las Vegas area urban wildlife hotline 702-668-3551 for venomous reptiles that threaten safety; reptile sightings to [email protected]; poaching to Operation Game Thief 1-800-992-3030 (NDOW page). NDOW

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. AIS Threats to Nevada's Waters: Quagga/Zebra Mussels and New Zealand Mudsnails. Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). uploaded 2021-09; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (3)
    “In Nevada, NZMS occur in the Salmon Falls Creek drainage, Beaver Dam State Park, Lake Mead National Recreation Area and the Lower Colorado River, Maggie Creek and a small portion of the Humboldt River near Carlin.”
    “In Nevada, zebra mussels are not currently present; however, Lake Mead National Recreation Area discovered quagga mussels in Boulder Basin in 2007.”
    “In Nevada, zebra mussels are not currently present”
  2. Mosquito Surveillance. Southern Nevada Health District. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “In 2017, an invasive species of mosquito called Aedes aegypti was trapped in Clark County for the first time.”
  3. American Bullfrog - Species Information. Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “NON-NATIVE INVASIVE: The American Bullfrog”
  4. Mediterranean House Gecko - Species Information. Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “NON-NATIVE INVASIVE: The Mediterranean House Gecko”
  5. Red-eared Slider - Species Information. Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “NON-NATIVE INVASIVE: Red-eared Sliders are an introduced turtle species”
  6. European Starling - Species Information. Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “NON-NATIVE INVASIVE: Starlings”
  7. Rock Pigeon - Species Information. Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “NON-NATIVE INVASIVE: Rock Pigeons”
  8. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species list for Nevada (all-groups first page, plus Mollusks and Reptiles group queries). U.S. Geological Survey. database queried November 3, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (13)
    “Physella acuta Acute bladder snail”
    “Osteopilus septentrionalis Cuban Treefrog”
    “Rumina decollata decollate snail”
    “Ambystoma tigrinum Eastern Tiger Salamander”
    “Radix auricularia European ear snail”
    “Apalone ferox Florida Softshell”
    “Corbicula fluminea freshwater golden clam”
    “Rana aurora Northern Red-legged Frog”
    “Melanoides tuberculata red-rim melania”
    “Pseudemys concinna River Cooter”
    “Chelydra serpentina Snapping Turtle”
    “Apalone spinifera Spiny Softshell”
    “Apalone spinifera emoryi Texas Spiny Softshell”
  9. Living with Mountain Lions. Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “…report it to the Nevada Department of Wildlife dispatch line at (775) 688-1331.”