Critically endangered species record 2026 with photos and information. Uncover the world’s most endangered species and take a look at your information with a FREE printable worksheet.
Critically Endangered Species: The World’s Most Endangered Species
Critically Endangered is the conservation standing given to the world’s most endangered species.
Critically endangered species embrace orangutans, gorillas and the black rhino; reptiles such because the Hawksbill sea turtle and lavatory turtle; amphibians such because the axolotl and Chinese language large salamander; and bugs such because the rusty patched bumblebee and golden-eyed supermodel.
The factors by which animals are judged to be critically endangered are set by the Worldwide Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). (Web site)
The entire animals on the record beneath are presently (as of Feb 2026) listed as “Endangered” by the IUCN.
A extreme decline in both a species’ inhabitants measurement or the world through which it’s discovered can result in it changing into listed as Critically Endangered, which is considered one of three classes utilized by the IUCN for threatened species (the opposite classes are “Endangered” and “Susceptible“).
Critically Endangered Species Printable Worksheet
Take a look at your information of critically endangered species with this FREE printable query sheet. No sign-up required, simply click on right here or on the above picture to obtain and print.
A listing of species which might be critically endangered in 2024, with photos and information. Click on on the species’ names to go on to that animal, or scroll right down to browse all the animals on the record.
Critically Endangered Species Listing
The record above comprises over 30 critically endangered species, however represents solely a fraction of species which might be presently critically endangered. Along with many extra animals, there are additionally many crops, fungi and different organisms which might be on this class.
A species’ conservation standing is liable to vary because the outcomes from new analysis change into out there. The entire animals on this web page are categorised “Critically Endangered” as of January 2024.
What’s your favourite animal on this record? Have you ever obtained any questions on these or another threatened animals? Tell us within the feedback part on the backside of the web page.
American Burying Beetle
- Scientific title: Nicrophorus americanus
- Kind of animal: Insect
- The place discovered: North America
The American burying beetle (also called the enormous carrion beetle) is a member of the carrion beetle household Silphidae. Beetles on this household play an necessary ecological function by feeding on carrion (useless animals).
The American burying beetle is a big beetle, reaching lengths of as much as 1.77 in. / 45 mm. It’s black, with orange spots on its wing-cases and a big orange spot behind the top.
The life cycle of the American burying beetle revolves round carrion. After finding an acceptable carcass, a male will appeal to a mate and collectively they may bury the useless animal. After mating, the feminine lays her eggs close to the carrion.
Unusually for bugs, the American beetle reveals parental care. Each dad and mom stay with their eggs and feed their larvae from the carrion.
The American burying beetle was initially present in 35 US states and three Canadian provinces. Right now this critically endangered species is current solely within the US states of Rhode Island, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Nebraska.
Why Are American Burying Beetles Endangered?
There isn’t any single clear cause why the American burying beetle is endangered. Pesticide use, a change in agricultural practices leading to fewer small animal carcasses, and habitat loss are all thought to have contributed to the beetle’s decline.
- You could find out extra about beetles on this web page: Beetle Info
Axolotl
- Scientific title: Ambystoma mexicanum
- Kind of animal: Amphibian
- The place discovered: North America
Not like most amphibians, the axolotl doesn’t metamorphosize into an air-breathing, land-living animal; whilst an grownup it retains its gills and stays fully-aquatic.
The axolotl is much-studied attributable to its capability to re-grow its limbs and different physique elements.
This critically endangered amphibian is immediately present in simply three websites in Mexico Metropolis. Its wild inhabitants is estimated to encompass simply 50 to 1,000 grownup people. (In contrast, the human inhabitants of Mexico Metropolis, the capital metropolis of Mexico, exceeds 9 million.)
Why Are Axolotls Endangered?
The axolotl is endangered attributable to habitat loss. The species was initially present in two lakes: Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco. Lake Chalco not exists, having been drained to stop flooding. Lake Xochimilco too has been largely destroyed; remnants of the lake now kind canals in Mexico Metropolis.
Beluga
- Scientific title: Huso huso
- Kind of animal: Fish
- The place discovered: Black Sea Basin, Caspian Sea Basin
The beluga is a big fish belonging to the sturgeon household, Acipenseridae. Rising to lengths of over 7m / 23 ft., it’s the largest sturgeon, the world’s largest freshwater fish, and the 8th largest dwelling fish.
Like different sturgeons, the beluga has a protracted physique that’s armored with rows of bony plates.
The beluga, just like the beluga whale, will get its title from the Russian phrase for “white”.
The beluga is discovered within the Black and Caspian Sea Basins, together with the Danube and Volga rivers.
The species is historically hunted for its worthwhile roe, which is named beluga caviar. Right now, the beluga is threatened by overfishing, poaching, and by the constructing of constructions reminiscent of dams on the rivers through which it’s discovered.
Black Rhino
- Scientific title: Diceros bicornis
- Kind of animal: Mammal
- The place discovered: Africa
The black rhinoceros is considered one of two rhino species present in Africa; the opposite being the far more frequent white rhinoceros.
Regardless of their names, there’s little distinction within the coloration of the 2 rhino species; each have grey pores and skin. The black rhino could be recognized by its pointed higher lip (the white rhino has a flat higher lip). It is usually barely smaller than the white rhino.
The black rhino is present in savanna habitats in sub-Saharan Africa. It could possibly run at speeds of as much as 34.18 mph / 55 km/h.
For a lot of the 20th century the black rhino had the biggest inhabitants of all rhino species. Right now, simply over 3,000 grownup people stay within the wild.
Why Are Black Rhinos Endangered?
The black rhino is endangered attributable to overhunting and habitat loss on account of farming and human settlement. Right now the species’ greatest risk is poaching; the black rhino is focused for its horns, that are utilized in conventional Chinese language drugs.
Lavatory Turtle
- Scientific title: Glyptemys muhlenbergii
- Kind of animal: Reptile
- The place discovered: North America
The lavatory turtle is present in bogs, waterlogged fields and wetlands in scattered populations within the northeastern and japanese United States. With a median size of three to three.5 in / 7.62 to eight.89 cm, the lavatory turtle is the smallest turtle in North America. It may be recognized by its small measurement and the orange spots, one on all sides of the neck, behind its head.
Why Are Lavatory Turtles Endangered?
The lavatory turtle is endangered primarily attributable to habitat loss. It is usually collected on the market to the pet commerce. As its conventional habitat has undergone conversion, the species’ inhabitants has change into severely fragmented.
California Condor
- Scientific title: Gymnogyps californianus
- Kind of animal: Chook
- The place discovered: North America
The California condor is considered one of seven species within the New World vulture household, Cathartidae. It’s a massive, primarily black chicken with a particular white triangle on the underside of every wing, and a bald head which is both crimson or orange in coloration.
The species has a wingspan of 9.5 ft / 2.9 m wingspan, the biggest of any North American chicken. (For comparability, the utmost wingspan of a bald eagle is round 7.5 ft / 2.3 m.)
The California condor is present in southwestern United States, together with Arizona, Utah, and California, and in Baja California, Mexico.
The species was “introduced again from extinction” with a captive breeding program. It is likely one of the world’s rarest birds, with a slowly rising wild inhabitants that presently consists of round 200 grownup people.
Why Are California Condors Endangered?
The principle cause that the California condor is endangered is a mix of persecution and lead poisoning (being a scavenger, the condor typically eats prey that comprises lead shot). DDT (a now-banned agricultural pesticide) additionally lowered the thickness of the species’ eggshells, leading to fewer chicks efficiently hatching.
Chinese language Alligator
- Scientific title: Alligator sinensis
- Kind of animal: Reptile
- The place discovered: Asia
The Chinese language alligator is considered one of two alligator species, the opposite being the a lot bigger American alligator.
The species is present in a small variety of places in Anhui Province, japanese China. Its inhabitants, which is severely fragmented, is believed to quantity beneath 100 grownup people, making the Chinese language alligator one of many world’s most endangered reptiles.
This critically endangered reptile grows to a most size of round 7 ft / 2.13 m; lower than half the dimensions of its American counterpart.
Why Are Chinese language Alligators Endangered?
The Chinese language alligator is endangered to due habitat loss and persecution. A lot of the species’ habitat has been transformed to rice paddies.
Chinese language Big Salamander
- Scientific title: Andrias davidianus
- Kind of animal: Amphibian
- The place discovered: Asia
The Chinese language large salamander is the world’s second-largest dwelling amphibian, reaching lengths of as much as 5.9 ft / 1.8 m and weights of as much as 110 lb. / 50 kg. (The biggest dwelling amphibian is the South China large salamander, which can now be extinct within the wild.)
The Chinese language large salamander lives in quick-flowing, shallow hill streams in Central and Southern China. Even in grownup kind it stays absolutely aquatic, and is ready to soak up oxygen by its pores and skin.
Why Are Chinese language Big Salamanders Endangered?
The Chinese language large salamander is endangered due primarily to overhunting. The amphibian is taken into account a delicacy in China, and it’s also utilized in conventional Chinese language medicines.
Habitat loss has additionally led to a major decline within the species’ inhabitants. A lot of its habitat has been destroyed on account of industrialization and the development of dams.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes Tiger Beetle
- Scientific title: Cicindela albissima
- Kind of animal: Insect
- The place discovered: North America
The Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle is discovered solely within the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park in southwestern Utah, United States. It’s between 10.5 and 12 mm / 0.41 and 0.47 in. in size, and has distinctive pale elytra (wing-cases).
The beetle lives solely in sand dune habitats, searching bugs reminiscent of flies and in addition scavenging on useless bugs. It’s considered one of round 2,600 tiger beetle species that make up the subfamily Cicindelinae, a gaggle of beetles identified for his or her fast floor pursuit of prey.
Why Are Coral Pink Sand Dunes Tiger Beetles Endangered?
Using off-road automobiles has had a detrimental impact on the Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle’s sand dune habitat. The species’ small inhabitants can be badly affected by drought.
- You could find out extra about beetles on this web page: Beetle Info
Duskytail Darter
- Scientific title: Etheostoma percnurum
- Kind of animal: Fish
- The place discovered: North America
The duskytail darter is a small freshwater fish present in scattered populations within the river methods of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina.
The species is considered one of over 200 species within the subfamily Etheosomatidae – a gaggle of small fishes often called “darters”.
The duskytail darter is between 2.25 and a pair of.5 in. / 5.72 – 6.35 cm in size, with a slender, pale brown physique marked with darker bars, and two dorsal fins, the foremost of which has spines.
Through the breeding season, the male develops gold-colored, fleshy caps on the spines – that is to guard the eggs that he guards after spawning them.
Why Are Duskytail Darters Endangered?
The duskytail darter is endangered attributable to siltation and / or air pollution of its pure habitat on account of a change in water degree attributable to dams, weirs, and so forth., logging, mining and poor agricultural practices.
European Eel
- Scientific title: Anguilla anguilla
- Kind of animal: Fish
- The place discovered: Europe
Eels are fish within the order Anguilliformes, which comprises round 800 species.
(There are additionally some fish often called “eels” (e.g., the electrical eel) that don’t belong to this group and are due to this fact not “true” eels).
Eels have lengthy, snakelike our bodies, and swim by shifting their entire physique in waves. This implies of propulsion permits an eel to swim backwards when obligatory.
The European eel is usually 1.5 to 2.5 ft. / 45.72 to 76.2 cm in size. Its pores and skin is clean and coated in protecting slime.
The European eel is migratory, making its means from its breeding grounds within the Sargasso Sea, a area of the Atlantic Ocean, to freshwater methods in Europe. After spending a number of years in freshwater, it returns to the Sargasso Sea to spawn.
Why Are European Eels Endangered?
The European eel is endangered attributable to a mix of many components, together with: overhunting, obstructions to migration, harm from hydropower generators, habitat loss, adjustments to ocean currents, and illness.
European Mink
- Scientific title: Mustela lutreola
- Kind of animal: Mammal
- The place discovered: Europe
The European Mink is a small and elusive predatory mammal belonging to the weasel household, Mustelidae. It has a slender physique and is roofed in dense, darkish brown fur, with a attribute white patch on the higher lip. It’s round 35-45 cm / 14 to 18 inches in size.
This semi-aquatic species inhabits riverbank environments and is adept at swimming and diving, feeding on fish, crustaceans, and small mammals.
Why Is The European Mink Endangered?
The European Mink is critically endangered attributable to habitat loss, air pollution, and competitors with the launched American mink.
European Sea Sturgeon
- Scientific title: Acipenser sturio
- Kind of animal: Fish
- The place discovered: Europe
Often known as the Atlantic sturgeon, the European sea sturgeon is considered one of 27 species within the sturgeon household Acipenseridae. As soon as present in coastal waters round most of Europe, the species is now discovered solely in France’s Garonne River.
The species, which may attain lengths of as much as 11.48 ft / 3.5 m, spends most of its life at sea, earlier than migrating into freshwater river methods to spawn. (A species that migrates from the ocean to freshwater is claimed to be “anadromous”.)
Why Are European Sea Sturgeons Endangered?
The European sea sturgeon was previously used within the manufacturing of caviar and is endangered attributable to over-fishing. The remaining inhabitants is threatened by bycatch (unintentional seize when different species are being focused), obstacles reminiscent of dams, and river air pollution.
Golden-Eyed Stick Insect
- Scientific title: Peruphasma schultei
- Kind of animal: Insect
- The place discovered: South America
The distinctively-colored golden-eyed supermodel is also called the black magnificence supermodel. Regardless of being a preferred pet, the species is critically endangered within the wild. It’s discovered solely in a really small (beneath 5 hectares) space within the mountainous Cordillera del Cóndor area of Peru.
The golden-eyed supermodel is round 2.17 in / 5.5 cm in size, and has small, vestigial wings which might be brilliant crimson in coloration. It’s unable to fly. If threatened, it may possibly spray its aggressor with an irritating defensive liquid.
Why Are Golden-Eyed Stick Bugs Endangered?
The golden-eyed supermodel is endangered attributable to deforestation; a lot of its conventional forest habitat has been transformed to plantations and fields for cattle. As well as, being flightless, the species is unable to flee from fires began by agricultural staff.
Gorillas
- Scientific title: Genus: Gorilla
- Kind of animal: Mammal
- The place discovered: Africa
There are two gorilla species: the western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) and the japanese gorilla (Gorilla beringei). Each are critically endangered.
Gorillas are the biggest primates. They belong to the household Hominidae, to which people, chimpanzees, bonobos and orangutans additionally belong. Members of this household are often called “nice apes”.
Gorillas are herbivorous, forest-dwelling animals that dwell in small teams consisting of a number of females and their younger, and a dominant grownup male often called a “silverback”.
The western gorilla is barely smaller, and normally a lighter coloration, than the japanese gorilla. The western gorilla has two subspecies: the western lowland gorilla and the Cross River gorilla. The japanese gorilla additionally has two subspecies: the japanese lowland gorilla and the mountain gorilla.
Why Are Gorillas Endangered?
Gorillas are endangered attributable to deforestation, searching and illness. Deforestation is brought on by logging or the conversion of forests into agricultural land (particularly oil palm plantations).
Regardless of gorillas being legally protected, they’re nonetheless focused for bushmeat by native hunters. Being so closely-related to people, gorillas are vulnerable to lots of the identical ailments, particularly Ebola virus.
You could find out extra about gorillas on these pages:
Nice Hammerhead
- Scientific title: Sphyrna mokarran
- Kind of animal: Fish
- The place discovered: Tropical and heat oceans worldwide
The nice hammerhead is the biggest of the hammerhead sharks, a gaggle of sharks named after the hammer-like form of their widened heads. It could possibly attain a most size of round 15 ft. / 4.57 m.
The form of a hammerhead shark’s head is assumed to have advanced to enhance the animal’s sensory capabilities. The shark’s eyes are positioned on all sides of the “hammer”, permitting the shark to see every thing above and beneath it, and in addition bettering binocular imaginative and prescient (the flexibility to gauge distances).
Sharks have electroreceptors with which they will sense electrical fields produced by the actions of different animals. A hammerhead shark’s electroreceptors are spaced alongside its hammer head, bettering the animal’s electroreceptive capability.
The nice hammerhead’s food regimen consists of many different sorts of fish (together with different sharks, such because the gray reef shark). Stingrays are a favourite meal for the good hammerhead. It could possibly detect stingrays even when they’re buried in sand by utilizing its electroreceptors.
Why Are Nice Hammerheads Endangered?
The nice hammerhead shark is endangered attributable to overfishing. In lots of elements of the world the species is focused for its fins, that are utilized in shark fin soup. In different areas, it’s caught as bycatch; even when subsequently launched, the shark normally dies.
Hawksbill Turtle
- Scientific title: Eretmochelys imbricata
- Kind of animal: Reptile
- The place discovered: Tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide
The hawksbill sea turtle is considered one of seven species of sea turtle, and considered one of six within the household Cheloniidae. It may be differentiated from different sea turtles by its sharp, hooked beak (the hawklike look of the beak offers the turtle its title) and by the saw-like, serrated fringe of the again of its shell.
There are hawksbill populations in each the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The species is migratory, travelling between its feeding grounds and its coastal breeding grounds. Females crawl onto land to put their eggs on the seaside. Male turtles, after hatching and getting into the ocean, by no means once more return to land.
Why Are Hawksbill Turtles Endangered?
Hawksbill turtles are endangered attributable to overhunting for his or her shells, that are used to make the ornamental materials tortoiseshell. The species can be hunted for its meat. As well as, lots of the hawksbill turtle’s conventional nesting websites have been misplaced on account of human growth in coastal places.
Hooded Vulture
- Scientific title: Necrosyrtes monachus
- Kind of animal: Chook
- The place discovered: Africa
The hooded vulture is an Previous World vulture present in sub-Saharan Africa. (Previous World vultures are solely distantly associated to the New World vultures, regardless of their bodily and behavioral similarities.)
Comparatively small in measurement for a vulture, the hooded vulture is known as for the “hood” of feathers in the back of its head.
Regardless of being discovered throughout a large space of sub-Saharan Africa, the hooded vulture inhabitants has declined sharply in recent times and the species has been rated as being critically endangered since 2015.
Threats to the species embrace poisoning, and looking for conventional drugs and bushmeat.
Indian Vulture
- Scientific title: Gyps indicus
- Kind of animal: Chook
- The place discovered: Asia
The Indian vulture is a vulture present in India, Pakistan, Nepal and Afghanistan. It’s a mid-sized species with a most wingspan of seven.8 ft / 2.38 m. It belongs to a gaggle of birds throughout the household Accipitridae often called Previous World vultures.
Regardless of bodily and behavioral resemblances, Previous World vultures will not be carefully associated to the New World Vultures. The similarities are attributable to convergent evolution, a course of through which unrelated species evolve related traits attributable to a shared life-style or habitat.
The Indian vulture is present in city areas together with cities, in addition to in shrublands, grasslands and forests. As a scavenger of carrion, it performs a significant function within the ecosystem.
Why Are Indian Vultures Endangered?
The Indian vulture is endangered as a result of widespread use of the drug diclofenac, which is toxic to the vulture, on livestock. The vulture dies after consuming the carrion of animals handled with this drug.
Indri
- Scientific title: Indri indri
- Kind of animal: Mammal
- The place discovered: Madagascar
The Indri, the biggest of all lemurs, is native to Madagascar. The species is notable for its black and white fur and just about tailless physique, a novel characteristic amongst lemurs.
This critically endangered primate has a physique size of about 60-90 cm / 24 to 35 inches. It’s identified for its distinctively loud, haunting name, which resonates by the rainforests it inhabits.
The indri is herbivorous and lives in small household teams. It’s arboreal and spends most of its life within the timber.
Why Is The Indri Endangered?
The indri is critically endangered due primarily to habitat destruction and searching by native folks.
Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle
- Scientific title: Lepidochelys kempii
- Kind of animal: Reptile
- The place discovered: Atlantic Ocean / Gulf Of America
The Kemp’s ridley sea turtle is the smallest and rarest of the world’s sea turtles. Taxonomically, it belongs to the household Cheloniidae and is carefully associated to the olive ridley. Adults are comparatively small, with a virtually round gray-green carapace and a triangular head tailored for crushing prey.
The species is discovered primarily within the Gulf of Mexico and alongside the japanese coast of the USA. Kemp’s ridleys are finest identified for his or her synchronized mass nesting occasions, known as arribadas, which happen totally on a number of seashores in northeastern Mexico. They migrate seasonally between nesting seashores, offshore waters, and coastal feeding grounds, feeding primarily on crabs.
Why Is The Kemp’s Ridley Turtle Endangered?
Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are endangered attributable to their extraordinarily restricted nesting vary and excessive human-related mortality. Traditionally, egg harvesting triggered extreme inhabitants crashes. Right now, fisheries bycatch—particularly in shrimp trawls—stays the best risk, regardless of enhancements reminiscent of turtle excluder gadgets. Coastal growth and oil spills within the Gulf of Mexico degrade crucial habitat, whereas local weather change threatens nesting seashores by erosion and rising temperatures. As a result of practically your entire inhabitants depends upon a small variety of nesting websites, the species stays extremely susceptible to environmental disasters and human disturbance.
Lesser Antillean Iguana
- Scientific title: Iguana delicatissima
- Kind of animal: Reptile
- The place discovered: Caribbean
The Lesser Antillean iguana is a lizard discovered on the Lesser Antilles island group within the Caribbean. It belongs to the identical genus, Iguana, because the far more frequent (and unthreatened) inexperienced iguana, which is discovered on the South American mainland and north so far as Mexico.
The Lesser Antillean iguana could be differentiated from its mainland cousin by its lack of a “subtympanic protect” – the massive scale on the face of the inexperienced iguana.
The Lesser Antillean iguana lives in a wide range of habitats, together with forests, shrublands and rainforests. It’s herbivorous, consuming a wide range of plant supplies.
Why Are Lesser Antillean Iguanas Endangered?
The Lesser Antillean iguana is endangered as a result of introduction of the inexperienced iguana to the islands on which it’s discovered. The inexperienced iguana outbreeds and ultimately displaces the Lesser Antillean iguana. Hybridization between the 2 species additionally threatens the Lesser Antillean Iguana.
Malaysian Big Turtle
- Scientific title: Orlitia borneensis
- Kind of animal: Reptile
- The place discovered: Asia
The Malaysian large turtle is a big freshwater turtle present in Malaysia and on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo in Southeast Asia. It reaches 31.5 in / 80 cm in size and as much as 110 lb. / 50 kg in weight.
The species inhabits swamps, lakes and rivers, and is piscivorous (fish-eating).
Why Are Malaysian Big Turtles Endangered?
The Malaysian large turtle is endangered attributable to overhunting. The species is captured and offered in native meals markets. The species’ survival can be threatened by the conversion of its pure habitat into oil palm plantations.
Mountain Hen
- Scientific title: Leptodactylus fallax
- Kind of animal: Amphibian
- The place discovered: Caribbean
The mountain rooster, or large ditch frog, is a critically endangered frog discovered on the islands of Dominica and Montserrat within the Caribbean. Reaching as much as 2.2 lb. / 1 kg in weight, and eight.67 in / 22 cm in physique size, it is likely one of the world’s largest frog species.
The mountain rooster is a nocturnal ambush hunter, sitting in anticipate prey to come back inside attain earlier than pouncing. Its food regimen consists of virtually any animal it may possibly slot in its mouth. This contains bugs, arachnids (together with tarantulas), snakes, and even bats.
Why Are Mountain Chickens Endangered?
The mountain rooster has been badly affected by the fungal illness chytridiomycosis, which has triggered a world fall in amphibian populations. The species has additionally suffered from overhunting; the frog was traditionally hunted for its meat.
North Atlantic Proper Whale
- Scientific title: Eubalaena glacialis
- Kind of animal: Mammal
- The place discovered: North America
The North Atlantic proper whale is considered one of 16 presently acknowledged baleen whales, and considered one of three proper whales.
Baleen whales are aquatic mammals that feed by filtering small organisms from the water utilizing comb-like constructions of their mouths known as baleen plates. The North Atlantic proper whale’s food regimen consists primarily of small crustaceans reminiscent of krill.
Most North Atlantic proper whales migrate from their summer time feeding grounds within the Labrador Sea (an space of the North Atlantic between Canada and Greenland) and their overwintering grounds off the coasts of Georgia and Florida.
Why Are North Atlantic Proper Whales Endangered?
The North Atlantic proper whale is endangered attributable to overhunting from the 16th century to the early 20th century. The species was focused for its oil and meat. Proper whales had been so-called as a result of they had been slow-moving, excessive in blubber, and remained floating even after having been killed, thereby making the whaler’s job simpler; they had been the “proper” species to focus on.
Though the whales are not hunted, their predominant threats immediately come from human exercise: many whales drown after change into entangled in fishing nets, and ship strikes can kill or severely injure whales swimming close to the floor.
- You may see photos and information on EVERY species of whale on this web page: Kinds of Whales
Oceanic Whitetip Shark
- Scientific title: Carcharhinus longimanus
- Kind of animal: Fish
- The place discovered: Heat and temperate waters worldwide
As its title suggests, the oceanic whitetip shark is discovered within the open ocean, relatively than in shallow coastal waters. It’s a medium-sized requiem shark, hardly ever exceeding lengths of three m / 9.8 ft. Its fins have distinctive white ideas.
The oceanic whitetip shark is each focused and caught as bycatch by fishermen concentrating on different species. The species’ fins are a principal ingredient in shark fin soup, a delicacy in a number of Asian nations.
Orangutans
- Scientific title: Genus: Pongo
- Kind of animal: Mammal
- The place discovered: Asia
There are three species of orangutan: Sumatran, Bornean and Tapanuli; all are critically endangered and have reducing populations. The Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) and Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis) dwell in separate areas of the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) is discovered on Borneo.
Orangutans are members of the good ape household Hominidae together with gorillas, chimps, bonobos and people. They share round 97% of their DNA with people. Orangutans are essentially the most arboreal (tree-dwelling) of the good apes. They’re primarily fructivorous (fruit-eating), however complement their food regimen with leaves, honey, bugs and small vertebrates.
These distinctive red-haired primates have lengthy arms and versatile shoulder and hip joints for climbing and shifting by the timber. Orangutans can grip with each their arms and their ft.
Why Are Orangutans Endangered?
Orangutans are endangered attributable to deforestation; a lot of their pure habitat has been destroyed to make means for oil palm plantations, and logging too has additionally triggered the destruction of big swathes of forest. Orangutans are additionally hunted for bushmeat and their infants offered to the pet commerce.
You could find out extra about orangutans on the next pages:
Peacock Tarantula
- Scientific title: Poecilotheria metallica
- Kind of animal: Arachnid
- The place discovered: Asia (India)
The Peacock Tarantula is a visually putting spider identified for its vibrant coloration. Native to a tiny patch of forest in southern India, it has an excellent metallic blue physique with a mixture of greenish hues, making it a favourite amongst arachnid fans.
The species, comparatively small for a tarantula, has a leg span of about 15 cm / 6 inches. It’s identified for its arboreal life-style, preferring to dwell in timber.
The Peacock Tarantula is a solitary and nocturnal creature, feeding totally on bugs.
Why Is The Peacock Tarantula Endangered?
Resulting from its particular habitat necessities and rising recognition within the pet commerce, it faces threats from habitat destruction and overcollection.
Philippine Eagle
- Scientific title: Pithecophaga jefferyi
- Kind of animal: Chook
- The place discovered: Asia
The Philippine eagle is the world’s largest eagle by wingspan and physique size, and the third-largest by weight; solely Steller’s sea eagle and the harpy eagle are heavier. The wingspan of the Philippine eagle can attain 7.22 ft / 2.2 m.
This critically-endangered species is endemic to (solely present in) forests within the Philippines.
This critically-endangered species’ food regimen consists of monkeys, Philippine flying lemurs, fruit bats, snakes, monitor lizards and a wide range of different mid-sized vertebrates.
Resulting from its food regimen, the species is also called the “monkey-eating eagle”.
Why Are Philippine Eagles Endangered?
Deforestation attributable to logging is the principle cause the Philippine eagle is critically endangered. Deliberate looking for meals, and unintentional seize in traps meant for different animals have additionally contributed to the species’ decline.
Pink Wolf
- Scientific title: Canis rufus
- Kind of animal: Mammal
- The place discovered: North America
The crimson wolf is a member of the canine household Canidae that was as soon as discovered throughout the southeastern United States. The species is now discovered primarily in northeastern North Carolina, after having been reintroduced to the world in a conservation mission. Solely 20-30 grownup crimson wolves are thought to outlive within the wild.
The crimson wolf resembles a cross between a wolf and a coyote, and there’s disagreement over whether or not the crimson wolf is a wolf-coyote hybrid, a wolf subspecies or a separate species in its personal proper.
Why Are Pink Wolves Endangered?
The crimson wolf is endangered attributable to habitat loss and hybridization with coyotes. Capturing and poisoning of reintroduced wolves has additionally occurred.
Rice’s Whale
- Scientific title: Balaenoptera ricei
- Kind of animal: Mammal
- The place discovered: Gulf of Mexico
Discovered solely within the Gulf of Mexico, Rice’s whale is a medium-sized whale that reaches lengths of as much as 12.65 meters / 41.5 ft. It’s bodily similar to the closely-related Bryde’s whale, however was discovered to be a separate species in 2021.
One of many world’s most endangered whales, Rice’s whale was adversely affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and is threatened by entanglement in fishing gear and ship strikes.
Solely an estimated 26 Rice’s grownup whales are thought to stay.
- You could find out extra about Rice’s whale on this web page: Rice’s Whale
- You may see photos and information on EVERY species of whale on this web page: Kinds of Whales
Rusty Patched Bumble Bee
- Scientific title: Bombus affinis
- Kind of animal: Insect
- The place discovered: North America
The rusty-patched bumble bee is a critically endangered insect discovered within the japanese United States and southeastern Canada.
A comparatively massive bumblebee, the rusty-patched bumblebee employee’s physique hair is yellow with a black strip on the thorax and black on the tip of the stomach. Amongst the yellow hair of the stomach is a particular rusty-orange patch.
The rusty patched bumble bee is a colonial insect that lives in underground nests. The bee was a typical sight in northeastern USA and southeastern Canada as not too long ago as 30 years in the past. Right now, it’s hardly ever seen.
The species is the primary bumblebee to be listed as Endangered beneath the USA’s Endangered Species Act.
Why Are Rusty Patched Bumble Bees Endangered?
The rusty-patched bumblebee is endangered as a result of switch of the unicellular parasite Nosema bombi from industrial bees to wild bee species. Habitat loss brought on by fashionable agricultural strategies and pesticide use are additionally thought to have triggered a decline within the insect’s inhabitants.
Saola
- Scientific title: Pseudoryx nghetinhensis
- Kind of animal: Mammal
- The place discovered: Asia
The saola is a critically endangered member of the household Bovidae, which comprises animals reminiscent of cattle, bison, buffalo and antelopes. The species is discovered within the Annamite vary of mountains in Vietnam and Laos.
The saola was solely found in 1992, after stays had been present in Vũ Quang Nature Reserve. It’s a particularly shy animal that’s hardly ever seen.
Why Are Saolas Endangered?
The saola is endangered attributable to overhunting, each for bushmeat and to be used in conventional Asian drugs.
Uncover several types of mammals on this web page: Kinds of Mammals
Sunflower Sea Star
- Scientific title: Pycnopodia helianthoides
- Kind of animal: Echinoderm
- The place discovered: northeastern Pacific Ocean
The sunflower sea star (also called the sunflower starfish) is the world’s second-largest sea star / starfish, with an arm span of as much as 1 m (3.3 ft). This massive marine invertebrate has as much as 24 arms, and is normally orange-red in coloration.
Fast paced for a sea star, the sunflower sea star can attain speeds of as much as 1 m per minute / 3.3 ft per minute. It preys primarily on sea urchins, however may even eat a wide range of different marine invertebrate animals, together with mollusks and different echinoderms.
Why is the sunflower sea star endangered?
The sunflower sea star is critically endangered attributable to a mix of things, together with sea star losing syndrome—a devastating illness that causes mass die-offs—alongside the impacts of local weather change, reminiscent of ocean acidification and warming waters.
You may see extra echinoderms on this web page: Echinoderms Examples
Vaquita
- Scientific title: Phocoena sinus
- Kind of animal: Mammal
- The place discovered: North America
The vaquita is a porpoise discovered within the Gulf Of California, in Baja Mexico. This marine mammal inhabits shallow, murky waters, the place it hunts fish, squid and crustaceans.
With a median size of round 4.76 ft / 1.45 m, the vaquita is the world’s smallest cetacean.
It’s estimated that there are fewer than 50 vaquitas left, placing the species on the verge of extinction.
Why Are Vaquitas Endangered?
The vaquita is endangered attributable to gillnetting for different species. Though gillnetting within the space is now absolutely or partially banned in areas through which the vaquita is current, unlawful fishing continues.
Uncover several types of mammals on this web page: Kinds of Mammals
Variable Harlequin Frog
- Scientific title: Atelopus varius
- Kind of animal: Amphibian
- The place discovered: Central America
Often known as the Costa Rican variable harlequin toad and the clown frog, the variable harlequin frog is a critically endangered amphibian present in tropical and subtropical forests in Costa Rica and Panama. It belongs to the household Bufonidae, whose members are often called “true toads”.
The intense coloration of the variable harlequin frog’s pores and skin warns potential predators that the frog is toxic. Its pores and skin comprises a strong neurotoxin. Because of this, the amphibian has few pure predators.
Why Are Variable Harlequin Frogs Endangered?
Chytridiomycosis, a illness brought on by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, is assumed to have triggered a fast decline within the variable harlequin frog inhabitants. This illness has devastated amphibian populations in lots of elements of the world.
Western Lengthy-Beaked Echidna
- Scientific title: Zaglossus bruijnii
- Kind of animal: Mammal
- The place discovered: New Guinea
The western long-beaked echidna, along with three different echidna species and the platypus, are the world’s solely egg-laying mammals. These 5 species are often called monotremes. Though monotremes lay eggs, they nonetheless feed their younger with milk, which is a attribute of all mammals.
The western long-beaked echidna is discovered within the Indonesian a part of the island of New Guinea. The species could have been current in Australia till the start of the 20 th century, however is now extinct within the nation.
Reaching weights of as much as 36.38 lb. / 16.5 kg, the western long-beaked echidna is the biggest of the 4 echidnas. It lives within the leaf litter of tropical forests and feeds primarily on earthworms.
Why Are Western Lengthy-Beaked Echidnas Endangered?
The long-beaked echidna is hunted for its meat. Though industrial searching of the species is banned, small-scale searching, typically with canines skilled for the aim, continues.
Critically Endangered Species 2024 Listing: Conclusion
Sources of data for this web page embrace the Worldwide Union for Conservation of Nature (web site) and the IUCN RedList.
You could find out extra about endangered species on the next pages:
