What are extinct species?
An extinct species is a type of animal or plant that no longer has any living members left. When a species goes extinct, it is a permanent loss, and its unique genetic makeup and ecological role are gone forever. E
xtinction is a natural part of evolution, but the current rate of extinction is much higher than the natural rate, primarily due to human activities.
The reasons for extinction are varied and often interconnected. Habitat loss is one of the leading causes, as human development and agriculture destroy the places where animals live. Other factors include climate change, which alters ecosystems faster than species can adapt, and over-hunting or over-fishing, which can decimate populations. A famous example of an extinct species is the dodo bird, which was hunted to extinction in the 17th century. The passenger pigeon is another well-known example.
While it’s a sad reality, the study of extinct species provides valuable information about the history of life on Earth. Paleontologists study fossils to learn about species like dinosaurs and mammoths that went extinct millions of years ago. Understanding why these species disappeared can help us better protect the ones that are still with us today and learn how to prevent future extinctions.
Why protecting endangered species?
🟢 Questions
• What does it mean when a species is extinct?
• Why did the dodo bird disappear?
• How did the passenger pigeon go extinct?
• What happened to the Tasmanian tiger?
• Why are woolly mammoths famous examples?
• How does extinction affect ecosystems?
• What role do humans play in species loss?
• Why are island animals especially vulnerable?
• How do scientists study extinct species?
• What can fossils teach us about the past?
• Why are some extinctions called “mass extinctions”?
• How did dinosaurs become extinct?
• What role does climate change play in extinctions?
• Why are large animals more at risk?
• How do invasive species cause extinctions?
• What lessons do extinct species teach us?
• How do museums preserve extinct animals?
• Why are some animals declared extinct too late?
• What are de-extinction projects?
• How do scientists try to revive species?
• Why are extinct animals important in culture?
• How does extinction affect human survival?
• What stories warn about animal extinctions?
• How can protecting endangered species prevent extinction?
• Why must humanity act to stop more extinctions?