How Many Animals Are On The Endangered Species List

What Are Endangered and Threatened Species?

A century ago, a bird called the rider pigeon lived in North America. In that location were so many passenger pigeons that people often saw great flocks of them flying overhead containing thousands, even millions, of birds. Today, there is not a single one left. What happened?

The passenger pigeon became extinct. All living rider pigeons disappeared from the earth entirely. The passenger dove became extinct for two reasons. Kickoff, the forests where it lived were cut down to make way for farms and cities. Second, many pigeons were shot for sport and because they were good to swallow. At that fourth dimension, at that place were no hunting laws to protect endangered species similar there are at present.

At that place are over ane,300 endangered or threatened species in the United States today. Endangered species are those plants and animals that have become so rare they are in danger of becoming extinct. Threatened species are plants and animals that are likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a meaning portion of its range.

How Does Extinction Happen?

Species disappear because of changes to the earth that are caused either by nature or past the actions of people. Sometimes a natural event, similar a volcano erupting, can impale an entire species. Other times, extinction will happen slowly every bit nature changes our world. For case, afterward the Ice Ages, when the glaciers melted and the earth became warmer, many species died because they could not alive in a warmer climate. Newer species that could survive in 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

inverse the homes or habitats upon which these species depend. A habitat includes non only the other plants and animals in an expanse, but all of the things needed for the species' survival -- from sunlight and air current to nutrient and shelter. The U.s. has many habitats, from ocean beaches to mountain tops. Every species requires a certain habitat in order to alive. A cactus, for example, needs the sunny, dry desert in order to abound. A polar carry, on the other manus, would not alive in a desert, because it could not discover plenty food and water.

Pollution tin also touch wild animals and contribute to extinction. The Nashville crayfish is endangered mainly considering the creek where it lives has been polluted by people.

Pesticides and other chemicals tin can toxicant plants and animals if they are not used correctly. The baldheaded 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 sparse shells. These eggs were unremarkably crushed before they could hatch. Today, people are not allowed to use Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane, and this has contributed to the bald eagle existence removed from the endangered and threatened species lists needed for the species' survival -- from sunlight and wind to food and shelter.

The United States has many habitats, from sea beaches to mountain tops. 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 paw, would not alive in a desert, considering information technology could non find enough food and water.

People tin too 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. These introduced species are called invasive species. For instance, 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 and then have to discover a new source of food or a new dwelling, or face becoming endangered or extinct.

Another way that people damage animals and plants is by taking them from the wild. Some people might grab an insect like the Mission blue butterfly for a butterfly collection. Others might capture a wild beast for a pet, or choice a blossom considering information technology's pretty. In improver, some people illegally hunt animals for food, skins, or fur. In the past, lots of American crocodiles were killed and so that their skins could be fabricated into shoes and other clothing. This crocodile is now an endangered species.

Why Protect Endangered and Threatened Species?

Tin can you imagine walking in the woods without hearing birds singing, or movie what a field would be like without wildflowers blooming? Our plants and wildlife

make the world a more than interesting and beautiful identify. More importantly, all living species, including people, depend on other species for survival. For example, if a fish such as the shortnose sturgeon becomes extinct, all of the species that rely on information technology will also suffer and may get threatened or endangered.

We all depend upon plants and wildlife. From studying them, we have learned new means of growing food, making habiliment, and building houses. Scientists have discovered how to use sure plants and animals equally medicine. If nosotros fail to protect threatened or endangered species, nosotros will never know how they might have improved our lives.

Endangered and threatened species need our assist. Government agencies, such equally the U.Due south. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.Southward. Section of

Agriculture, the U.Due south. Fish and Wild fauna Service, NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service, and the National Park Service, along with state fish and wildlife agencies and individual groups are making information bachelor so people tin meliorate protect endangered and threatened species and their habitats. You can contact these agencies for information and join the challenge in helping to protect endangered and threatened species, and all wildlife, from extinction.

Source: https://www.epa.gov/endangered-species/learn-more-about-threatened-and-endangered-species

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