Critically endangered species facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Conservation status by IUCN Red List category
Extinct
Extinct (EX) Extinct in the Wild (EW)	(list) (list)
Threatened
Critically Endangered (CR) Endangered (EN) Vulnerable (VU)	(list) (list) (list)
Lower Risk
Near Threatened (NT) Conservation Dependent (CD) Least Concern (LC)	(list) (list)
Other categories
Data Deficient (DD) Not Evaluated (NE)	(list)
Related topics International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) IUCN Red List NatureServe status Lists of organisms by population
Comparison of Red list classes above and NatureServe status below
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A critically endangered species is a type of plant or animal that has a very high chance of dying out completely in the near future. This means there are very few of them left in the world.

Critically Endangered Animals

Many different kinds of animals are critically endangered. Scientists and conservationists work hard to protect them.

Mammals

• The Christmas Island Pipistrelle was a tiny bat. It lived only on Christmas Island. In 2009, there were only about 20 of these bats left. Sadly, scientists believe this bat became extinct at the end of 2009.
• The European mink is a small mammal. It looks a bit like a weasel. It lives near water and hunts small animals.
• The Beluga sturgeon is a very large fish. It is known for its valuable caviar. Too much fishing has greatly reduced its numbers.

Amphibians

• The Corroboree Frog is a very small, brightly colored frog. It is found only in the high mountains of southeastern Australia.

Insects

• The Tree Lobster (Dryococelus australis) is a large stick insect. For a long time, people thought it was extinct. Now, a small group of 24 individuals lives on a tiny island called Ball's Pyramid. Zoos and conservation groups are working to breed them.

Reptiles

• The Gharial is a type of crocodile. It has a very long, thin snout. It mostly eats fish.
• The Orinoco crocodile is another crocodile species. It lives only in the Orinoco River in South America.

Birds

• The Grenada dove is a small dove. It lives only on the island of Grenada in the Caribbean.

Images for kids

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  The Beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) is an example of a critically endangered species. Their wild populations have been reduced due to overharvesting for its caviar.

See also

In Spanish: Especie en peligro crítico de extinción para niños