Facts about Endangered Animals

1. Terminology :

• Vulnerable Species : A species particularly at risk because of low or declining numbers or small range, but not a threatened species.
• Threatened Species : A species whose population is not yet low enough to be in immediate danger of extinction, but who certainly faces serious problems. If the problems affecting these species aren’t resolved, it is probable that the species will become endangered. The eastern indigo snake and the red kangaroo are examples of threatened species.
• Endangered Species : a specie, plant or animal, that is in immediate danger of becoming extinct. Its numbers are usually low, and it needs protection in order to survive. The Siberian tiger, the southern sea otter, the snow leopard, the green pitcher plant, and thousands of other plants and animals are endangered worldwide.
• Extinct Species : An extinct species is one that is no longer living. The passenger pigeon, the dodo, and the Stegosaurus are examples of extinct species. These animals no longer exist on the earth.

2. According to scientists, more than one and one-half million species exist on the earth today. However, recent estimates state that at least 20 times that many species inhabit the planet.

3. In the United States, 735 species of plants and 496 species of animals are listed as threatened or endangered.

4. 266 of these listed species have recovery plans currently under development.

5. There are more than 1,000 animal species endangered worldwide.

6. There are more than 3,500 protected areas in existence worldwide. These areas include parks, wildlife refuges and other reserves. They cover a total of nearly 2 million square miles (5 million square km), or 3% of our total land area.

7. Aquatic species, which are often overlooked, are facing serious trouble. One third of the United States’ fish species, two-thirds of its crayfish species, and almost three-quarters of its mussel species are in trouble.

Picture : Red Kangaroo - Kangaroos are large animals native to Australia and are in the
same family as wallabies, wallaroos, pademelons, and quokka. The three main species of kangaroos are the Red Kangaroo, the Eastern Grey Kangaroo and the Western Grey Kangaroo. Red Kangaroos, the largest species, can be 6 feet tall and weigh as much as 200 lbs.

Classification:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Diprotodontia

Family: Macropodidae

Genus: Macropus

Specific Animals