Many animals are threatened with extinction. The IUCN analyzed over 10,000 species of reptiles last year and found that over 20% of reptiles face the possibility of extinction. About 1,000 people worked on this study. They found that reptiles that are found in forest habitats are more at risk than others.
Razorbills are sea birds that have very distinct markings. They have white feathers on their fronts and black feathers on their backs, including their faces. Their legs are black, and their bills are black with a white stripe.
Have you heard of the Cape Fox? These are foxes that are actually the smallest canid in South Africa. They are about 3 feet long and weigh about 5 pounds.They’re usually found in habitats that contain grasslands, open woodlands, or semi-deserts.
Gannets have a very distinct appearance. They have white feathers with black markings at the outer edge of their wings. Their tail and beak are long and pointed. They have distinct blue eyes and beige feathers on their heads.
Hawaiian Hoary Bats are really small – they only weigh about half an ounce! They hold the title of the only endemic land mammal that’s left in Hawaii. They are considered endangered.
Have you heard of Least Terns? These birds are part of the same family as gulls and they’re actually the smallest member. They stand about 8-9 inches tall and weigh just under 2 ounces. They have a wingspan that can reach up to 20 inches.
Snow Leopards are solitary cats that live in mountain regions of Central Asia, usually in areas that have open forests or grasslands. Snow Leopards measure about 4-5 feet long, not including their tails, which usually add another three feet.
Seagulls technically aren’t a species. They’re a name that we colloquially give to various species of gulls that we associate with living near the ocean. However, even that isn’t technically true, because not all gulls live by the ocean.
Genetic diversity is extremely important when it comes to healthy wildlife. When habitats are fragmented, we often see animal populations get separated from one another. This isolation usually results in animals interbreeding and weaker genetics getting passed on to future generations.