What does it mean to be Threatened? Endangered?

When a species is threatened it is a warning that there is a problem of some kind with the species. If an animal or plant is threatened it means that it may become endangered if we don't take immediate steps to protect it.

Animals or plants that are considered to be endangered are in danger of becoming EXTINCT and need our immediate attention and protection.

When a species becomes extinct, it is gone forever. This changes the food web it belonged to, which in turn disrupts the biodiversity of its habitat. Plants and animals also serve many other beneficial purposes to humans including medicinal, agricultural, ecological, commercial and or aesthetic or recreational uses. Species need to be protected and saved so that future generations can experience their presence and value.

Red Aukari

How many Species are Endangered?

There are about 450 animals in the United States that are listed as endangered, and about 160 that are currently threatened.

Worldwide, there are about 975 animals listed as endangered and 200 listed as threatened. Does that mean that most of the endangered animals are in the United States? No! But it does mean that the United States is pretty good at getting the ones who are endangered listed on the endangered species list.

Most plant and animal species that are actually endangered aren't on the list. Scientists have identified only about 1.5 million species in the world, and there could be as many as 30 million. Thousands of species become extinct every year before we even know they exist.

What Causes Species Endangerment?

How Does Extinction Happen?

Species disappear because of changes to the earth that are caused either by nature or by the actions of people. Sometimes a terrible natural event, like a volcano erupting, can kill an entire species. Other times, extinction will happen slowly as nature changes our world. For example, after the Ice Ages, when the great glaciers melted and the earth became warmer, many species died because they could not live in a warmer climate. Newer species that could survive a warmer environment took their places.

People can also cause the extinction of plants and animals. The main reason that many species are endangered or threatened today is because people have changed the homes or habitats upon which these species depend.

A habitat includes not only the other plants and animals in an area, but all of the things needed for the species' survival -- from sunlight and wind to food and shelter. The United States has many habitats, from ocean beaches to mountain tops. (Check out D4K's show on Habitats!) Every species requires a certain habitat in order to live. A cactus, for example, needs the sunny, dry desert in order to grow. A polar bear, on the other hand, would not live in a desert, because it could not find enough food and water.

Pollution can also affect wildlife and contribute to extinction. The Nashville crayfish is endangered mainly because the creek where it lives has been polluted by people living nearby.

Pesticides and other chemicals can poison plants and animals if they are not used correctly. The bald eagle is one bird that was harmed by pesticides. In the past, a pesticide called DDT was used by many farmers. Rains washed the pesticide into the lakes and streams where it poisoned fish. After eating the poisoned fish, the eagles would lay eggs with very thin shells. These eggs were usually crushed before they could hatch. Today, people are not allowed to use DDT and the bald eagle, although still endangered, has begun to increase in number and is a true success story in how we can make a difference when we all work together!

People can also endanger plants and animals by moving, or introducing, new species into areas where they do not naturally live. Some of these species do so well in their new habitat that they endanger those species already living there, called the native species. For example, when some fish are introduced into a lake or stream, they may prey upon, or eat the food of the native fish. The native species may then have to find a new source of food or a new home, or face becoming endangered or extinct.

Another way that people harm animals and plants is by taking them from the wild. Some people might catch an insect like the Mission Blue Butterfly for a butterfly collection. Others might capture a wild animal for a pet, or pick a flower because it's pretty. In addition, some people illegally hunt animals for food, skins, or fur.

In the past, American crocodiles were killed so that their skins could be made into shoes and other clothing. The American crocodile is now an endangered species because of our actions in the past.

Earth has seen at least five great extinction periods, each wiping out up to 95 percent of all living species. They involved massive volcanic eruptions, disastrous meteor strikes and rapid climatic changes. The next great extinction could very well be the result of humankind's abuse of the environment.

Who Decides what species are endangered or threatened?

In the United States, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decides which species are threatened and which are endangered through its Listing Program. The review process starts when someone—anyone—sends a petition to the Service. The petition asks the Service to see if there is evidence that the species is on the edge of extinction. A species will be classified as endangered if there is enough evidence. The decision is based on scientific evidence.

The World Conservation Union has created the Red List of Threatened Species. The Red List is the most authoritative listing of endangered Species from around the world.

Come look at the amazing photo gallery of mammals, plants, fungi, invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds that are "red-listed" by the World Conservation Union.

How are Endangered Species protected?

What else is being done?

Endangered animals can be raised in captivity in zoos and then released into the wild to help reestablish the population. To make sure they survive in the wild, some animals are hand fed using a puppet that looks like the mother of the species. Most condors are raised in the zoos in this fashion.

Bald Eagles - America's Bird

The bald eagle is a true success story! In 1963 there were only about 417 nesting pairs in the United States. Today there are about 9,789 nesting pairs! We can make a difference!

Visit the Center for Biological Diversity  to read about other success stories.

What can you do to help?
A LOT!

Join an organization; make space for wildlife; plant native plants; control introduced animals and plants; recycle, reduce, and reuse; and conserve existing habitats.

Make your voice heard!

Check out more ways that you can help Endangered Species.

The Yellow-Eyed Penguin

Did you know that Penguins are specialized marine birds adapted to living at sea? Some species spend as much as 75% of their lives in the sea - only coming ashore for breeding and molting. Penguin wings are paddle-like flippers used for swimming, not flying.

The most vulnerable penguin is the yellow-eyed penguin, which inhabits the coasts and offshore islands of southeast New Zealand. The yellow-eyed penguin population is estimated at less than 7,000.

The Florida Panther

The Florida Panther is one of the world's most endangered species. This amazing cat marks it's territory with scrapes (piles of soil, leaves, or pine needles.) Sometimes they even mark their territory by putting urine or feces on top of the scrapes to let others know to keep off their turf!

Florida panther kittens and their mothers keep track of each other with whistles. How does your mom or dad call you?

The fastest human runs a little under 30 mph, and only for short distances.

Did you know...It takes a baby Galapagos Giant Tortoise a month to dig itself out of the nest in which it was buried and then born. Aren't you glad you didn't have to dig your way out! Find out more here!

Javan Rhinoceros

The Javan Rhinoceros is the least known of the five remaining species of rhinoceros, which can perhaps be attributed to it's low population. They are mainly found within the Ujung Kulon National Park in Java, and they prefer lowland rainforest, large flood plains with mud wallows, (who doesn't love a mud bath?) and tall grass and reed beds.

Their diet includes up to 150 different plant species. They will eat around 50 kg of food each day or approximately 110 lbs of food! That would be a lot food to eat in one day! How much food do you eat in a day?

The Javan Rhino has an armour-like appearance given by its gray skin that folds into the shoulder, back, and rump of the animal. The horn of the Javan Rhino differs between the males and females, with the males horn reaching up to about 26 cm. or about 10 inches long. The females horn are stubby and knob like, or they have no horn at all.