Anonymous #1 16h

Horses are native to Eurasia, they are an introduced invasive species in North America. Spaniards brought them over when they colonized the New World. Feral (“wild”) horses deteriorate North American ecosystems - they outcompete native grazers, have detrimental effects on native flora, and don’t have natural predators. Our ecosystems are not designed to support horses. In order to preserve native flora/fauna, feral horses must be rounded up and auctioned or culled.

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Anonymous OP 16h

It may be uncomfortable and sad, but it is what must be done in order to preserve the integrity of our ecosystems and ensure our native species will continue to persist

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Anonymous OP 16h

Thanks for the explanation! I knew they were non native but didn’t know they were so harmful, makes sense though cause I know native grazers aren’t doing so hot. I think it’s so interesting how some non native species end up being protected (bees) while others are really harmful and most people don’t know the difference cause they’ve been here for so long relatively speaking

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Anonymous #1 15h

And actually on that point, do you know what qualities make an old world transplant more or less invasive in the new world? Like what qualities of horses make them harmful while bees are largely helpful? Is it similarity to other animals in the same niches or something like that?

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Anonymous #1 15h

Honeybees (native to Eurasia/Africa) are actually considered invasive and harmful by many ecologists. They outcompete our native bees such as carpenter bees and bumblebees. I view them as something of the “cows” or livestock of the bee species, as they are more or less domesticated at this point.

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Anonymous OP 15h

North America is already home to many native pollinators, such as our own endemic/native bees and wasps! Honeybees aren’t ecologically valuable, they are agriculturally valuable.

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Anonymous OP 7h

Damn I love honey.

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