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Animal skins or furs have been fashion trends in the past and today. Examples are beaver hats, mink coats, crocodile boots or purses, etc. These fashion crazes severely impact animal populations and sometimes have caused extinctions.
This week we discuss how invasive species or non-native species wreak havoc on ecosystems. Because these species are brought to a new environment, there is nothing to keep the population in check. This means these invasive species explode in population. They leave little food for the native species, take over the living areas of native species, etc.
A National Geographic magazine article discussed using invasive species as fashion. For instance, clothing derived from nutria (an invasive South American rodent that has been destroying wetlands in the Mississippi River delta) has been worn in fashion shows. Another fashion designer has used the skin from cane toads to make purses and bracelets. (Cane toads are devastating Australia, but they originate in South America.)
Some people say this is a great way to try to slow or stop the destruction these animals are causing landscapes. Others say this isn’t any more ethical than wearing a fur coat.
1) What do you think? Do you think this is good or bad? Why or why not?
2) You can also look up examples of organisms (plants/animals/insects/etc.) that in the past or present have been used for fashion or for sold for profit. How has this impacted the species? Be sure to cite your source and paraphrase.
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