It’s Time to Whip Up Some Swamp Rat Gumbo, the Government Says
The federal government is making an unusual pitch: eat swamp rats, iguanas and wild boar to help save American ecosystems. And the concept behind it — called “invasivorism” — has been building momentum for over a decade.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published an article in 2025 urging Americans to hunt, trap and eat invasive species that are damaging native habitats. The agency’s reasoning is straightforward.
“Eating invasive species can help protect native animals and plants. By hunting, trapping, and eating these invaders, we can reduce their numbers and the harm they cause,” the FWS wrote.
The economic stakes back up the urgency.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, “invasive species have cost North America $2 billion per year in the early 1960s to over $26 billion per year since 2010.” Globally, the estimated economic cost of invasive species has been $1.288 trillion over the past 50 years.
What Is Invasivorism?
Invasivorism is the practice of eating invasive species as a way to control their populations and reduce ecological harm. The term was first coined in 2010 by New York Times journalist James Gorman.
Since then, many organizations have started holding hunting tournaments and derbies to help deplete populations of invasive species. Some even partner with local diners to add the species to their menus.
Eat the Invaders, a website created by University of Vermont conservation biologist Joe Roman, catalogs invasive species worth eating. Some of the species listed on the website include lionfish, garden snail, armored catfish, crayfish and common carp.
The FWS has now put its own curated menu together — and some of the entries may catch you off guard.
The FWS Menu, Species by Species
Nutria (Swamp Rats)
First on the FWS list: nutria, also known as swamp rats. The FWS describes nutria as “oversized, wetland-loving rodents” native to South America that are devouring marshlands in the Gulf of America Coast, Atlantic Coast and Pacific Northwest. The agency’s cooking suggestion? Nutria gumbo. “Their meat is lean, mild, and tastes like rabbit,” the FWS adds.
Northern Snakehead
The FWS also recommends grilling or frying northern snakehead, an invasive, predatory freshwater fish native to Asia. The agency says they make excellent fish tacos. “Luckily, they’re delicious with a firm, white, and flaky meat,” the FWS wrote in 2025. Their ability to spend several days out of water allows them to wiggle their way across land into new freshwater habitats. They’re frequently seen in Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern U.S. waterways.
Silver Carp
Can’t find northern snakehead meat? The FWS points to the high-jumping silver carp, frequently seen in Midwest and Southeast rivers and lakes. The agency suggests trying them grilled, blackened or turned into crispy fish cakes because they’re “surprisingly tasty.”
Green Iguana
Next: iguana stew. The FWS describes the green iguana as the “chicken of the trees” due to its mild flavor. Green iguanas are native to Central and South America but are currently eating native plants and destabilizing seawalls in Florida and other warm states.
Feral Hogs and Wild Boar
Rounding out the list are feral hogs and wild boar. Native to Europe and Asia, these animals are invasive in Southeastern U.S., Texas and California. They tear up farmland, forests and wetlands and devour anything in their path.
“But there’s a silver lining because wild boar is some of the best-tasting invasive meat you can get,” the FWS writes, adding that the meat is “leaner and richer in flavor than store-bough pork.” The agency says the meat makes a good smoked barbecue, hearty chili, burger, taco or ragu over pasta.
Why This Matters Now
The FWS publishing a dedicated article promoting invasivorism in 2025 signals that the concept has moved from fringe conservation idea to something federal agencies are actively endorsing.
The $26 billion annual price tag for invasive species in North America provides the economic context for why the government is turning to the public for help.
Hunting tournaments, restaurant partnerships and dedicated websites like Eat the Invaders have already laid the groundwork. The FWS push adds federal backing to a movement that started with a single word coined by a journalist 15 years ago.
The gap between “weird food trend” and “government-endorsed conservation strategy” has closed. Whether the appeal is ecological, economic, or just culinary curiosity, the FWS is making the case that your next meal could double as pest control.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
