Extinct (disambiguation) facts for kids

Extinct means that something has completely disappeared and no longer exists. This word is most often used for living things like animals and plants. But it can also describe other things, such as volcanoes that won't erupt again or languages that are no longer spoken by anyone.

What Does 'Extinct' Mean?

When we say something is 'extinct,' it means there are no living members left anywhere in the world. Imagine a type of animal, like the dinosaurs. They are extinct because none of them are alive today. This can happen naturally over long periods, or it can be caused by human actions.

When a Species Disappears: Extinction

Species extinction happens when all the members of a certain type of animal or plant die out. This means that particular species will never be seen again. It's a natural part of Earth's history, but humans are now causing extinctions much faster than usual.

Why Do Species Become Extinct?

Species can become extinct for many reasons. Some are natural, while others are caused by people.

Natural Causes of Extinction

• Climate Change: Earth's climate has always changed. Ice ages or warmer periods can make it hard for some species to survive.
• Natural Disasters: Large events like volcanic eruptions or huge meteor impacts can wipe out many species quickly. The dinosaurs went extinct after a giant asteroid hit Earth.
• Disease: A new disease can spread quickly through a population and kill many individuals, leading to extinction.
• Competition: Sometimes, new species appear that are better at finding food or surviving. They might outcompete older species, causing them to die out.

Human Causes of Extinction

• Habitat Loss: When forests are cut down or wetlands are drained, animals and plants lose their homes. This is a major reason for extinction today.
• Pollution: Chemicals and waste can poison the environment, making it impossible for some species to live there.
• Overhunting or Overfishing: Humans sometimes hunt or fish too many animals, reducing their numbers until they disappear. The passenger pigeon, once very common, became extinct due to overhunting.
• Introducing New Species: Bringing animals or plants from one place to another can be harmful. These new species might eat the native ones or spread diseases.

Famous Extinct Animals

Many amazing creatures have become extinct.

• Dinosaurs: These giant reptiles ruled Earth for millions of years. Most dinosaurs died out about 66 million years ago after a large asteroid impact.
• Dodo Bird: This flightless bird lived on the island of Mauritius. It became extinct in the late 1600s, mainly due to humans hunting them and new animals brought to the island.
• Woolly Mammoth: These huge, hairy elephants lived during the Ice Age. They died out around 4,000 years ago, likely due to climate change and human hunting.
• Passenger Pigeon: Once the most common bird in North America, with billions of them. They became extinct in the early 1900s because of massive hunting.

Conservation Status: Extinct in the Wild

Sometimes, a species is considered Extinct in the Wild. This means that no members of that species can be found living freely in nature. However, a few individuals might still be alive in zoos or special breeding programs. Scientists hope to one day reintroduce these species back into their natural habitats.

Other Types of Extinction

The word 'extinct' isn't just for animals and plants.

Extinct Volcano

An extinct volcano is a volcano that scientists believe will never erupt again. This is different from a dormant volcano, which is sleeping but could erupt in the future, or an active volcano, which erupts regularly. Scientists study how old the volcano's rocks are and how much erosion has happened to decide if it's extinct.

Extinct Language

An extinct language is a language that no longer has any native speakers. This means no one speaks it as their first language anymore. Many languages have become extinct throughout history, often because people started speaking a more common language. Sometimes, efforts are made to revive extinct languages.