Extant facts for kids

In biology, when we talk about a group of living things that are still alive today, we call them extant. This word means "still existing" or "living." It helps us tell them apart from groups that have completely disappeared from Earth.

Extant vs. Extinct

The word extant is the opposite of extinct. An extinct group is one that no longer has any living members. For example, dinosaurs are extinct. You won't find any living dinosaurs walking around today. But humans, dogs, and most birds are extant species. They are still very much alive on our planet.

Why These Words Are Important

Scientists use "extant" and "extinct" to understand life's history. They study how different groups of living things have changed over millions of years. Knowing which groups are extant helps us focus on protecting them. It also helps us learn from the past.

Examples of Extant Groups

Many different kinds of living things are extant.

• Most of the animals you see every day are extant. This includes your pets, birds in your garden, and fish in the ocean.
• Plants like trees, flowers, and grasses are also extant.
• Even tiny living things, like bacteria and fungi, have extant groups.

For example, in the group of molluscs called cephalopods, there are about 600 extant species. These include octopuses, squids, and nautiluses. But there are also about 7500 extinct species of cephalopods. This shows that many more have disappeared than are still alive today.

Protecting Extant Species

It's very important to protect extant species. Every living thing plays a role in Earth's ecosystems. When a species becomes extinct, it can affect many other species. It can also harm the balance of nature.

How We Can Help

Many people and organizations work to keep species extant. They try to protect natural habitats where animals and plants live. They also work to stop things that cause extinction, like pollution or too much hunting. By learning about extant species, you can help protect them too!