IUCN Red List critically endangered species (Animalia) facts for kids

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is like a global report card for plants and animals, telling us which ones are in danger of disappearing forever. As of August 19, 2018, this list showed that 3,005 different kinds of animals, including specific groups or populations, were "critically endangered." This means they face an extremely high risk of dying out in the wild very soon.

Mammals

Mammals are warm-blooded animals with fur or hair, and mothers feed their babies milk. Many mammals around the world are in serious trouble.

Big Cats and Wild Dogs

• Cheetahs: The Acinonyx jubatus hecki and Acinonyx jubatus venaticus are critically endangered. These fast runners are losing their homes and food.
• Tigers: Several tiger groups are in extreme danger, including the Panthera tigris amoyensis, Panthera tigris jacksoni, and Panthera tigris sumatrae. They are threatened by habitat loss and poaching.
• Lions: The Panthera leo in West Africa is also critically endangered.
• Wild Dogs: The African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) populations in North and West Africa are critically endangered.

Rhinoceroses

Rhinoceroses are large, strong mammals known for their horns. Sadly, many types are critically endangered, mainly due to poaching for their horns.

• The Ceratotherium simum cottoni is almost gone.
• The Dicerorhinus sumatrensis and Rhinoceros sondaicus are also in critical danger.
• Different groups of the Diceros bicornis, like the Diceros bicornis michaeli and Diceros bicornis minor, are also critically endangered.

Primates

Primates include monkeys, apes, and lemurs. Many are critically endangered because their forest homes are being destroyed.

• Gorillas: Both Gorilla beringei (including the Gorilla beringei beringei) and Gorilla gorilla (including the Gorilla gorilla diehli) are critically endangered.
• Orangutans: The Pongo abelii, Pongo pygmaeus, and Pongo tapanuliensis are all in critical danger. These great apes live in trees and are losing their forest homes.
• Chimpanzees: The Pan troglodytes verus is also critically endangered.
• Lemurs: Many types of lemurs from Madagascar, like the Indri indri and several Propithecus species, are critically endangered.

Other Endangered Mammals

• Pangolins: The Manis javanica and Manis pentadactyla are critically endangered. These unique animals are hunted for their scales and meat.
• Whales and Dolphins: Several marine mammals are critically endangered, such as the Phocoena sinus, a small porpoise, and the Lipotes vexillifer, which is possibly extinct.
• Rabbits: The Bunolagus monticularis from South Africa is critically endangered.
• Wombats: The Lasiorhinus krefftii is a critically endangered marsupial from Australia.

Birds

Birds are feathered, winged animals. Many species are facing extinction due to habitat loss, climate change, and other threats.

Large Birds

• Cranes: The Leucogeranus leucogeranus is a critically endangered large white crane.
• Bustards: The Ardeotis nigriceps and Houbaropsis bengalensis are large, ground-dwelling birds in critical danger.
• Vultures: Several vulture species, like the Gyps bengalensis and Gyps indicus, are critically endangered, mainly due to poisoning.

Parrots and Cockatoos

Parrots are known for their bright colors and ability to mimic sounds.

• The Cyanopsitta spixii is a critically endangered blue parrot.
• The Cacatua haematuropygia and Cacatua sulphurea are also in critical danger.
• The Strigops habroptila from New Zealand is a unique, flightless parrot that is critically endangered.

Other Critically Endangered Birds

• Albatrosses: The Diomedea amsterdamensis is a large seabird facing critical threats.
• Hummingbirds: Several tiny hummingbird species, like Eriocnemis godini and Eriocnemis isabellae, are critically endangered.
• Pigeons and Doves: The Didunculus strigirostris from Samoa is a unique critically endangered species.
• Owls: The Glaucidium mooreorum is a critically endangered owl.

Reptiles

Reptiles are cold-blooded animals, often with scales, like snakes, lizards, and turtles.

Crocodiles and Alligators

• The Alligator sinensis is a critically endangered alligator.
• Several crocodile species, including the Crocodylus intermedius and Crocodylus mindorensis, are also critically endangered.
• The Gavialis gangeticus, a unique long-snouted crocodile, is in critical danger.

Turtles and Tortoises

Many turtle and tortoise species are critically endangered, often due to habitat loss, pollution, and being hunted.

• Sea Turtles: The Eretmochelys imbricata and Lepidochelys kempii are critically endangered.
• Giant Tortoises: Several giant tortoise species from the Galápagos Islands, like Chelonoidis darwini and Chelonoidis hoodensis, are critically endangered.
• Other Turtles: The Pseudemydura umbrina from Australia and the Batagur baska are also critically endangered.

Lizards and Snakes

• Iguanas: The Brachylophus vitiensis and several Cyclura species (rock iguanas) are critically endangered.
• Chameleons: Many chameleon species, like Brookesia bonsi and Calumma tarzan, are critically endangered, often found in small forest areas.
• Vipers: The Bothrops insularis is a critically endangered venomous snake found only on a small island.

Amphibians

Amphibians, like frogs and salamanders, live part of their lives in water and part on land. They are very sensitive to changes in their environment.

Frogs and Toads

Many frog and toad species are critically endangered, often due to a deadly fungus called chytrid fungus, habitat loss, and climate change.

• Harlequin Frogs: Many Atelopus species, also known as harlequin frogs, are critically endangered or possibly extinct, such as Atelopus ignescens and Atelopus varius.
• Glass Frogs: Some glass frogs, like Centrolene ballux, are critically endangered. They are known for their see-through skin.
• Poison Dart Frogs: Species like Oophaga lehmanni are critically endangered.
• Other Frogs: The Rhinoderma rufum and Mantella aurantiaca are also in critical danger.

Salamanders

• Axolotl: The Ambystoma mexicanum is a famous critically endangered salamander that can regenerate body parts.
• Giant Salamanders: The Andrias davidianus is the largest amphibian in the world and is critically endangered.

Fish

Fish are aquatic animals with gills. Many freshwater and marine fish are critically endangered.

Sturgeons

Sturgeons are ancient fish known for their large size and for producing caviar. Many species are critically endangered due to overfishing and habitat destruction.

• The Acipenser dabryanus and Acipenser sturio are critically endangered.
• The Huso huso is also in critical danger.

Sharks and Rays

• The Glyphis gangeticus and Glyphis garricki are critically endangered river sharks.
• The Dipturus batis and Leucoraja melitensis are critically endangered rays.
• Sawfish: All sawfish species, like Pristis pectinata and Pristis zijsron, are critically endangered. They are known for their long, saw-like snouts.

Other Critically Endangered Fish

• Eels: The Anguilla anguilla is a critically endangered eel species.
• Cichlids: Many cichlid fish from African lakes, especially Lake Victoria, are critically endangered or extinct, such as numerous Haplochromis species.
• Coelacanths: The Latimeria chalumnae is a critically endangered "living fossil" fish.

Insects

Insects are a huge group of animals, and many are vital for our ecosystems.

Beetles

• The Delta green ground beetle (Elaphrus viridis) is a critically endangered beetle from California.
• The Nicrophorus americanus is a large, critically endangered beetle that helps clean up the environment.

Butterflies and Moths

• The Pieris wollastoni is a critically endangered butterfly.
• The Euproserpinus wiesti is a critically endangered moth.

Dragonflies and Damselflies

• Many species, like Libellula angelina and Megalagrion molokaiense, are critically endangered, often due to habitat loss in their wetland homes.

Corals

Corals are tiny animals that build large reefs, which are important homes for many ocean creatures.

• Staghorn Coral: Acropora cervicornis and Acropora palmata are critically endangered corals, vital for reef ecosystems.