Extinct species in the recent times and Causes of Extinction, How can we prevent extinction?
The number of living organisms is 10 million species now. There are about 138 species that become extinct every day. So, if the rate of Extinction is constant. A great number of the species would become extinct.
Extinct species
There are hundreds of millions of extinct organisms from ancient times, such as the dinosaur and the mammoth. There are some extinct species in recent times, such as the golden frog, the dodo bird, the quagga, the Australian wild cat (Tasmanian cat), and the passenger pigeon.
Extinct species
The Australian wildcat (Tasmanian cat) is a mammal that has a wolf’s head, a dog’s tail, a pouch-like kangaroo, and striped skin like a tiger. The last member of its species died in Sidney Zoo, Australia, in 1936. Its extinction is due to the hunting by the peasants because it preys on the sheep and the chickens.
The dodo bird was one of the birds that live in the Indian islands which became extinct in 1681 in the Indian islands 50 years after man invaded these islands, because it was an easy target for hunters due to the reduced size of its wings, So, it was a non-flying bird, and it had short legs, So, it could not run fast.
The native habitat of the passenger pigeon was North America. There were more than a billion (1000 million) birds in 1850, and the last member of its species died in one of the zoos in 1914.
The extinction of the passenger pigeon is due to cutting the oak and beech trees, where they used to build their nests, and it is due to the mass hunting of the birds, and the low rates of reproduction, where the female lays only one egg each spring.
Quagga is a mammal that is considered the midway between the horse and the zebra. The last member of its species was killed in South Africa in 1883. Its extinction was due to continuous hunting. The golden frog had disappeared since 1989 and had not been seen since that time.
FAQ About Recently Extinct Species
1. What are recently extinct species?
Recently extinct species are animals or plants that have disappeared within the last few centuries, especially after significant human impact on the environment.
2. What are examples of recently extinct species?
- Dodo (Extinct in the 1600s): A flightless bird from Mauritius. Extinct due to hunting and introduced animals.
- Passenger Pigeon (Extinct in 1914): Once, billions existed in North America. Extinct due to mass hunting and habitat destruction.
- Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacine) (Extinct in 1936): A carnivorous marsupial, Extinct due to hunting and government bounties.
- Golden Toad (Extinct around 1989): Lived in Costa Rica, likely extinct due to climate change and disease.
FAQ About Causes of Extinction
3. What is extinction?
Extinction is the complete disappearance of a species when the last individual dies.
4. What are the main causes of extinction?
- Habitat Destruction: Cutting forests, building cities, and farming destroy natural habitats. Animals lose food, shelter, and breeding areas.
- Overhunting and Overfishing: Excessive hunting reduces populations rapidly. Species cannot reproduce fast enough to survive.
- Climate Change: Changes in temperature and weather affect habitats. Some species cannot adapt quickly.
- Disease: New diseases can spread quickly among animals. Especially dangerous for small populations.
- Invasive Species: Non-native species compete with or prey on native species. Often introduced by humans.
5. Are humans responsible for the most recent extinctions?
Yes, human activities like deforestation, pollution, hunting, and climate change are the leading causes of most modern extinctions.
6. Can extinct species come back?
In most cases, no, Scientists are researching “de-extinction” using DNA, but it is still experimental.
7. How can we prevent extinction?
- Protect natural habitats.
- Reduce pollution.
- Support conservation programs.
- Control hunting and fishing.
- Raise awareness about endangered species.
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Natural protectorates, Reasons of extinction, Extinct and endangered species
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