The magazine *One Health* identified the **13 most worrying invasive exotic species (EES) in the pet and aquarium trade** in seven [Caribbean countries](https://noticiasambientales.com/compromiso-ambiental/casas-sostenibles-en-el-caribe-barro-pasto-plastico-y-vidrio/). This analysis, which for the first time assessed the invasive capacity and the environmental, public health, and economic risks, seeks to prioritize the management of these threats under the “One Health” approach.
Among the highlighted species are the **red-eared slider turtle** (*Trachemys scripta elegans*), **Amazon parrots, and macaws**. These species, popular as pets, **have caused serious problems by escaping or being released**, competing with native fauna and spreading diseases.
To achieve this, the study used the OHIASP methodology, which classifies EES according to their impact on health, environment, and economy, as well as the ease of smuggling and eradication methods. This approach helps optimize limited resources and **design effective strategies against these species** that have already caused global economic losses exceeding $2.2 trillion.
Successful examples of EES control include **the elimination of donkeys in the Dominican Republic to protect endemic iguanas** or **monkeys and rats in Puerto Rico, which were threatening native birds and reptiles**. However, the report emphasizes the need for ongoing funding, research, and solutions such as biological control to mitigate future impacts.
## **Which are the predominant species in the Caribbean?**
In addition to invasive species, the Caribbean region faces unique challenges due to its **rich biodiversity and intense commercial activity** in the pet market, which demands coordinated actions to preserve ecosystems, protect health, and prevent economic losses.
Many animal species inhabit the Caribbean Sea, such as:
– **Marine mammals:** humpback whale, sperm whale, pilot whales, Atlantic spotted dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, spinner dolphin, rough-toothed dolphin, and Caribbean manatee.
– **Fishes:** bocachico, píntano, sixbar wrasse, blue tang, and brown surgeonfish.
– **Reptiles:** boa constrictor, needle-nose gar, iguana, lizard, rattlesnake, cane turtle, and green turtle.
Moreover, along the shores of the Caribbean Sea, there are **mangroves, rocky beaches, sand dunes, and seagrass beds** where many coral species and animals like octopuses, nudibranchs, crustaceans, and echinoderms live.
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