Endangered Animals

Endangered Animals

by Mrs. Lopez

​What does it mean when a animal is endangered?

​Endangered is a word used to describe plant and animal species that are not doing very well at surviving. Animals usually become endangered because of over hunting or the destruction of their habitat. An animal that is endangered is close to extinction, meaning there aren't very many of that type of animal left in the world.

​An example of an extinct animal is the Dinosaur

​Evidence suggests an asteroid impact caused the extinction if Dinos by creating Volcanic eruptions that caused large-scale climate changes that together with more gradual changes to Earth's climate created an uninhabitable environment for most Dinos to survive. This happened over millions of years.

Multiple Choice

What does it mean when an animal is endangered?

• That the plant or animal is not doing well at surviving.

• That these animals are no longer here.

• That no one likes these animals anymore.

• That these animals are very popular.

​A habitat is a place where an organism makes its home. A habitat meets all the environmental conditions an organism needs to survive. For an animal, that means everything it needs to find and gather food, select a mate, and successfully reproduce.

Open Ended

What are a few habitats that animals live in?

​Habitat for a plant, a good habitat must provide the right combination of light, air, water, and soil. For example, the prickly pear cactus, which is adapted for sandy soil, dry climates, and bright sunlight, grows well in desert areas like the Sonoran Desert in northwest Mexico. It would not thrive in wet, cool areas with a large amount of overcast (shady) weather, like the U.S. states of Oregon or Washington.

Open Ended

What are a few of the habitats plants live in?

​Why do Animal become Endangered?

​Humans are largely responsible when animals become extinct, endangered or threatened.

Here are some reasons why animals become endangered:

Destruction of Habitat

Humans destroy precious habitat--the natural environment of a living thing--when they fill swamps and marshes, dam rivers and cut down trees to build homes, roads and other developments.

Pollution

Oil spills, acid rain and water pollution have been devastating for many species of fish and birds.

Hunting and Fishing

Many animals are over-hunted because their meat, fur and other parts are very valuable.

Exotic Species

When animals or plants arrive into a new habitat from a foreign place they sometimes introduce diseases that the native species can't fight. These "exotic" species can also prey on the native species.

Multiple Choice

What is another name for a home for plants and animals?

• House

• Habitat

• ecosyestem

• a nest

​What is an Ecosystem?

​An ecosystem is a geographic area where plants, animals, and other organisms, as well as weather and landscape, work together to form a bubble of life. Ecosystems contain biotic or living, parts, as well as abiotic factors, or nonliving parts.

​Why should we care about endangered animals going extinct?

Well, in exchange for food and shelter, animals themselves play a vital role in supporting forest ecosystems! Here are just a few examples:

• Trees depend on certain animal species for pollination and seed dispersal.

• Some species protect forests by eating herbivores and insects that might otherwise harm trees and plants.

• Others eat small branches and shrubs, thinning the understory and removing potential wildfire fuel.

• Animals eat, or are eaten by, other animal and plant species, both up and down the food chain. This helps to maintain ecosystem functions, keeping forests healthy.

And keeping forests healthy means keeping their climate change-fighting potential intact.

The bottom line? Forests need wildlife as much as wildlife needs forests. An­d wildlife conservation is as much a task for organizations like Stand For Trees as it is for people like you.

​How can you help endangered animals?

• ​Raise awareness

• ​Stop littering

• ​Reduce your carbon foot print

• Recycle and buy less

• ​Don't buy exotic animals as pets

• ​Donate to wild life charities

• ​Educate your self and others on the problem

Open Ended

How can you help ? list at least 5 ways you can make a difference in animal endangerment