Lists of extinct species facts for kids
Imagine a world where a type of animal or plant completely disappears, forever. That's what extinction means. When a species is extinct, it means there are no living members left anywhere on Earth. This can happen for many reasons, from natural changes in our planet to things humans do. If scientists haven't seen a specific type of animal or plant in the wild for 50 years, they usually consider it extinct.
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Why Do Species Go Extinct?
Species can go extinct for different reasons. Sometimes, it's a natural process. The Earth's climate changes over long periods, or natural disasters like huge volcanic eruptions or meteor strikes can happen. These events can make it impossible for some species to survive.
However, humans also play a big part in extinctions, especially in recent times. When people overuse natural resources, hunt too much, or destroy the places where animals and plants live (their habitats), it can lead to species disappearing. Protecting habitats and using resources wisely helps prevent more extinctions.
Plants That Are Gone Forever
Many amazing plants have become extinct. These plants might have been unique and played important roles in their ecosystems. Losing them means losing part of Earth's natural beauty and biodiversity.
- List of recently extinct plants
Animals We've Lost
Just like plants, many animals have also vanished from our planet. These include everything from tiny insects to large mammals. Some extinctions happened long ago, like the dinosaurs, while others are much more recent.
Extinct Animals Around the World
Extinctions have happened in every part of the world. Different regions have lost unique animals due to various reasons, including habitat loss and hunting. For example, many animals on islands, like those in the Indian Ocean or Hawaii, were especially vulnerable because they lived in small areas and hadn't evolved defenses against new threats.
Animals from the Past (Fossils)
Scientists learn about many extinct animals by studying their fossils. Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of ancient life. By looking at fossils, we can discover amazing creatures that lived millions of years ago, like different types of dinosaurs or ancient birds.
Recently Extinct Animals
Sadly, many animals have gone extinct in more recent times, even within the last few hundred years. These are often species that were directly affected by human activities. This includes different kinds of birds, mammals, fish, and even insects.
- List of bird extinctions by year
- List of recently extinct mammals
- List of recently extinct amphibians
- List of recently extinct reptiles
- List of recently extinct fishes
- List of recently extinct insects
See also
- Category:Extinct species
- Category:Species made extinct by human activities
- Extinction
- Extinction event
- Endangered species
- Lists of animals
