Fun Trivia » Animals » Miscellaneous Animal Trivia » Endangered Species

Land around the Yangtze River has been converted to rice fields over the years, which has led to severe habitat loss for this animal. The Chinese alligator was once very common in East Asia until humans arrived around 5,000 BC and started settling the land. In the 1970s, its range had decreased drastically and it was estimated that there were about 1,000 of these creatures in a few small areas in China. In 2015, scientists surveyed the species and found a population estimate of between 136 and 173. After a captive breeding and re-introduction program, scientists determined that there were about 300 of these alligators in the wild in 2017. Although the Chinese alligator is still threatened, the species numbers were no longer declining by 2018. Difficulty: Easy.

 

Yellow River, Mekong River, Huaihe River

The giant panda is a bear which lives in south central China. It is easily recognised by its black and white markings. Baby pandas are born with circular black patches around their eyes and it is only as they mature that the patches become the shape of teardrops. They can grow to approximately six feet tall and have a life span of 20 years in the wild or 20-30 in captivity. Although giant pandas have been on the endangered list for nearly thirty years, they are still critically endangered in 2018 with only around 1,000 pandas existing in the world. Their main rival is human beings who encroach upon their homelands by farming and tree felling, leaving them a smaller area to forage for food. Poaching is also a terrible problem for them. In China they are considered a symbol of peace. Difficulty: Easy.

 

Polar Bear, Black Rhino, Orangutan

Giant ground sloths lived and died with the other megafauna at the end of the Pleistocene, either affected by climate change or the appearance of humans, but down in the Caribbean, there were several species only a little smaller that blissfully lived on for another 5,000 years or more. Parocnus lived on in Cuba, but on Hispaniola, the Caribbean island shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic today, Neocnus lived another 500 years, until 4,500 years ago. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Mexico, Alaska and western Canada, South American rain forests

The elephant bird weighed 1000 lbs. and one of its eggs equaled 160 chicken eggs. Native only to Madagascar, it was described and drawn by humans who saw it, but probably became extinct due to their general activities. Surprisingly, its closest living relative is the little kiwi in New Zealand, not the ostrich. Difficulty: Average.

 

California condor, North Island snipe, Pterodactyl

The pangolin's scales are made of keratin, the same material as human fingernails. The scales are sharp and hard, and the pangolin is able to curl into a ball when it is in danger, using its scales to protect the softer parts of its body. As well as scales, the pangolin has some other impressive features - its sticky tongue is longer than its body, and (like the skunk) it can produce a noxious secretion from its anal scent glands when threatened. Pangolins live in Asia and Africa and are hunted in both of those places, mainly for their meat, but also for their scales which are believed by some cultures to have medicinal properties.

(Question and information submitted by emiloony) Difficulty: Easy.

 

Mandolin, Mandarin, Pangaroo

The great auk was a flightless, aquatic bird, similar to a puffin or penguin, that at one point ranged through most of the North Atlantic Ocean. It was fearless and clumsy on land, and known to have been a source of food for tens of thousands of years. Massive exploitation for their feathers and meat diminished their numbers, and they became extinct around Europe despite being beneficiaries of some of the earliest environmental laws ever written.

By the 1800s, great auks had become rare; that in turn brought unwelcome attention from museums and collectors, who just had to get a hold of their eggs while they still could. In 1835, the last known colony of about fifty great auks were discovered on Eldey Island, Iceland. They were killed in the name of preservation, and it was there that the last known pair of great auks was killed for specimens, in July 1844. Difficulty: Hard.

 

the unwashed masses, pet food manufacturers, the petroleum industry

The last thylacine, who was named "Benjamin", died at the Hobart Zoo after being left outside during extreme weather. This unique animal was the world's largest carnivorous marsupial. The thylacine died out after a major hunting campaign was instituted by the Tasmanian government between 1888-1909 who believed the animal caused harm to livestock. A systematic annihilation of the species ensued. The thylacine is also known as the Tasmanian tiger. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Boto, Bhulan, Susu

The Barbary lion became extinct in the wild in 1922, when the last known lion was shot in the Atlas Mountains. Barbary lions do exist in captivity, however. There are roughly 200 Barbary lions in captivity, but the exact number is difficult to determine because some claim to have these lions, but it is hard to tell whether it truly is a Barbary lion or not. Difficulty: Hard.

 

West African Lion, Asiatic Lion, Cape Lion

According to wildcattleconservation.org, there were once 12 species of wild cattle that roamed in various parts of the world. Aurochs were prevalent in Europe, Asia and North Africa in their heyday, but hunting, a narrowing habitat due to farming and diseases transmitted by domestic cattle all contributed to the disappearance of the species by the year 1627.

The kouprey (forest ox) of Indochina has not been seen the 1980s and is also believed to be extinct. The gaur (Indian bison) and anoas (two species of Dwarf buffalo - Mountain and Lowland) are also wild cattle species that are struggling to survive. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Kouprey, Gaur, Anoa

The Dodo is well known for its extinction having been one of the earliest to be caused by human interaction with its ecosystem (solely on the island of Mauritius). Although Dodos have been gone for centuries their appearances in the media have been quite common. For example, Lewis Carroll's story "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and the 2002 film "Ice Age" have shown Dodos in different capacities. Nonetheless, Dodos have gone the way of the...er, Dodo...to become one of the most popular creatures to no longer walk the Earth.
Coincidentally, the Poʻouli, once native to the island of Hawaii, has been supposedly extinct since 2004 due to several environmental factors. The Paradise Parrot of Australia has also been extinct since the 1920s. Nicobar Pigeons can be found in the Southeastern Asia region and are quite the common specimen. Difficulty: Very Easy.

 

Nicobar Pigeon, Po'ouli, Paradise Parrot

The great auk was a flightless bird indigenous to the north Atlantic areas of Canada, Greenland, Ireland and Great Britain. The great auk bore a strong resemblance to penguins. They were about 2 1/2 ft tall and about 10 lbs. They were black and white, had short legs, and were flightless. They did possess a very strong beak. Until man came along their only predators were orcas, walruses and some of the larger birds of prey. Their demise was brought about by over hunting for food and for their down which was used to stuff pillows. The very last great auks were found on Edley Island near Iceland. This colony of about 50 was slaughtered as soon as they were found and their eggs taken as collectors' items. These eggs can still be seen in museums throughout the world. Difficulty: Hard.

 

wolf, deer, lizard

The most popular theory is that a species of Treron fruit-eating pigeon from either Africa or Asia migrated to the island chain. If the African theory is correct, the pigeon most likely used Madagascar as a stepping-stone. If the Asian theory is correct, the pigeon crossed the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean by way of a series of now-submerged volcanic islands. Due to an absence of predators and an abundance of food, the species stayed on, shedded its wings, grew bigger and fatter, and lost its instinctive wariness.

The end results were the solitaires of Reunion and Rodrigues Islands (Raphus solitarius, Pezophaps solitaria) and the famous dodo of Mauritius (Raphus cucullatus).

- Madagascar lies east of Mozambique, mainland Africa.
- Mauritius, with an area of 750 sq. miles, lies about 550 miles east of Madagascar.
- Reunion, with an area of about 1000 sq. miles, is located about 120 miles southwest of Mauritius.
- Rodrigues, a small 46 sq. mile island, is about 350 miles to the east of Mauritius. Difficulty: Hard.

 

The West Indies, America, Australia

The coelacanth is found near the Comoros Islands. Fishermen still occasionally net a coelacanth (pronounced SEE-la-canth). It is a deep-sea fish and is dead by the time it reaches the surface. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic

Newton's Parakeet (or Psittacula exsul) was restricted to a single island Rodrigues, in the Mascarene Islands. Only two specimens of Newton's Parakeet survive in museum collections today. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Labrador Duck, Himalayan Quail, Broad-faced Potoroo

Numbats are unusal as they live on a diet of pure termites. With the control of feral predators, numbats have been successfully reintroduced into the wild. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Tasmania, New Zealand, Queensland

 

Gray Whale, Bottlenose dolphin, Fin Whale

There are few pure red wolves left; most of the wild ones interbred with coyotes. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Gray wolf, Coyote, Red fox

The steppe bison is an extinct species of bison that once roamed throughout many areas, including parts of Europe such as Great Britain, Asia, and North America. This animal is thought to have become extinct during the Holocene period. Scientists suggest that it was replaced in Europe by the modern European bison (Bison bonasus). Given its importance in England's past ecosystem, a nature conservancy group known as the Kent Nature Trust is preparing to release the first herd of European bison into woods near Canterbury in Kent in 2022. The Trust is hoping that the bison will help to bring back Kent's ancient woodland. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Canada, Argentina, South Africa

The black rhino, also known as the hook lipped rhino, is native to southern and western Africa. They are a solitary species not seeking each other's company except at the time of mating. The female can give birth only every two and a half to five years, and the calf stays with its mother until it is three. It is thought that there are eight subspecies of black rhino, two of which have already become extinct and one is on the verge of extinction Black rhinos have no natural predators because of their imposing size and weight, however they are very aggressive and quick to charge when they perceive any danger so a high proportion of them are killed in battle. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Black or grey, Brown or beige, Black or beige

Megalonyx jeffersonii, or Jefferson's ground sloth, was named in his honor, but it wasn't just a scientist's way to try to get more funding. Jefferson himself took an interest in the fossil claw sent back to him. It was dug from the floor of a cave in the western part of Virginia, now West Virginia, when some workers were digging soil for saltpeter. Jefferson read a paper on it during a meeting of the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia, March 10, 1797. With the long claw, the creature seemed to Jefferson like a lion or panther, but more study by experts soon ruled that out and for a while it was considered something of a mystery beast, until the giant ground sloth was better understood. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Richard Nixon, Herbert Hoover, Bill Clinton

The palm cockatoo is also known as the Goliath or great black cockatoo and is only found in the far north-east of Australia and New Guinea. Why they called it black is anybody's guess - because it isn't. Instead, it is a large greyish blue bird, with a very big beak and patches of red on both sides of its face. That beak enables it to break open the hardest of nuts, but is also used for a unique ritual possibly related to courtship. This takes place when the palm cockatoo breaks off one-inch-thick sticks and then beats them on the trunk of trees to produce a loud drumming sound that can be heard one hundred metres away. Incredible. Scientists are unsure why this Ringo Starr behaviour occurs but believe it is either to warn other birds away from its territory, OR to prove the tree is hollow enough for any female to create a nest and lay her eggs. Unfortunately for the world, this unique bird only lays one egg every two years, hence its endangered status - and its irresistible lure for those most despicable of creatures - poachers.

(Question and information submitted by Creedy) Difficulty: Easy.

 

Beech cockatoo, Pine cockatoo, Oak cockatoo

Smaller than its African cousins, the Javan rhino was once widespread in southeast Asia. It has been hunted for its horn for thousands of years, and with further attention from big game hunters, has become one of the rarest animals in the world. The Javan rhino has no natural predators, so it is only hunted by people -- and they've done a great job of it. Its extreme rarity has made its horn worth tens of thousands of dollars, thus making it a tempting target for poverty-stricken poachers.

Javan rhinos were long thought dead in Vietnam after the Vietnam War, which had a devastating impact on Vietnam's environment. However, a handful managed to survive, and the area they inhabited became a part of Cat Tien National Park in 1992. Unfortunately, by 2009, an analysis showed that a single rhino was left in the park. That lone animal was killed in 2010, and its body was discovered with its horn removed. Difficulty: Average.

 

Water buffalo, Bighorn sheep, Narwhal

The extinction of the Kenai Peninsula wolf is believed to have been caused by excessive hunting as well as the use of strychnine, a highly toxic crystalline alkaloid used as a pesticide.

Wolf sightings on the Peninsula were confirmed in the 1960s but it's unclear if they were descendants of the Kenai Wolf or a different species. Difficulty: Hard.

 

1850, 1800, 1905

This native Australian marsupial has often been compared to a rabbit and lived in the desert areas in the central part of the country. Less than 20 specimens were ever collected once they were discovered in 1887. This nocturnal animal was described as being aggressive in spite of their docile appearance. This is an example of the extinction of a native species due to the introduction of a new species. Numerous small mammals have become extinct around the world due to the introductions of rats, rabbits, or cats into an new area. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Alamogordo, New Mexico, U.S., Cheboksay, Russia, Antananarivo, Madagascar

Dutch travelers were among the first to record observations of the Dodo, calling it 'walghvogel', which translates as 'wallow bird' or 'loathsome bird'. The origin of the name 'Dodo' is obscure, but three theories are:
1) from the Dutch word 'dodoor' meaning 'sluggard';
2) from the Dutch word 'dodaars' meaning 'knot-arse' (a reference to the tail feathers); and
3) from the Portuguese 'duodo' meaning 'fool' or 'crazy'.

(above info gleaned from the Wikipedia site on the Dodo) Difficulty: Hard.

The Chacoan peccary, also called a tagua, is a very unusual animal. It has traits that resemble pigs such as being an ungulate. It has stiff grayish-brown bristly hair. It also has a snout and the noises are similar. It has a more pointed nose and a dark stripe down its back. It lives in hot dry areas that are dominated by thorny bushes and some succulents. They tend to live in small herds of about 10 individuals and breeding can occur year around depending on the weather and availability of food. It was not even described until 1930, and that information came from the fossil record. It's main threats are encroachment by man, habitat loss, and fragmentation of populations. At the turn of the century there was an estimated population of about 3,000 Chacoan peccarys. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Arkansas razorback, Sardinian wild boar, Hogzilla

Known for flocks totaling in the millions, these birds flew in such large groups that their migratory patterns blanketed the skies. Although billions of these birds were in North America at one point in time, early settlers were key in the species' descent into extinction. With growing civilization, Passenger Pigeons were eventually wiped out by natural and man-made causes. Although there were many attempts at preserving the Passenger Pigeon population, the last-known specimen (in captivity) passed away in 1914. Difficulty: Hard.

 

North Pacific Albatross, Brown Pelican, Whip-Poor-Will

The main reason for the extinction of this very colorful bird was deforestation. When trees were cut down so that the land could be farmed, the nests were destroyed and their food disappeared. The practice of stealing chicks from nests to sell as pets was also responsible for their extinction. Unlike most birds, both males and females were brightly colored with a bright red head, a patch of orange on the back of the neck with blue and green wings. A veritable flying rainbow! Difficulty: Hard.

 

water pollution, they were hunted for food, the introduction of rats to the island

This animal is also known as the Saola. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Laos, China, Nepal

The Eastern Hare-Wallaby (or Lagorchestes leporides) was one of the most common marsupials on the inland plains of south-eastern Australia. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Gumnut Koala, Thorny Devil, Southen White Dingo

Elephant populations have declined mainly through habitat destruction. Male Asiatic Elephants are killed for their ivory tusks. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Sumatran Tiger, Oriental Small-Clawed Otter, Golden-Lion Tamarin

The Northern Spotted Owl is at the center of a controversy between environmentalists and timber 'barons' Population is estimated between 4000-6000. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Nothern Goshawk, Harpy Eagle, Nothern Pygmy-Owl

The Florida panther is a subspecies of mountain lion. The few remaining cats are so inbred that they have a very low survival rate. Attempts are being made to bolster their genetic health by breeding them with the very closely related Texas cougar. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Bobcat, Lynx, Yuma puma

The Arabian oryx is well-adapted to living in hot and dry climates. Like camels, they can go long periods without water. However, they were heavily hunted for their meat, hide, and horns until they became extinct in the wild in the 1970s. Captive breeding programs have allowed this animal to be reintroduced into the wild since its extinction. After being reintroduced in Israel, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, the animals did extremely well. In 2011, there were over 1,200 Arabian oryxes living in the wild, and over 6,000 living in captivity available for reintroduction programs. These numbers led the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to change its status from "endangered" to "vulnerable" at that time. Difficulty: Average.

 

Bactrian camel, European green toad, Fire-sided salamander

Megatherium of South America, one of the biggest of the sloth genuses, was about the size of an elephant, weighing over five tons. Eremotherium, a genus found in North America, was about the same size. On the other end of the scale, Nothrotheriops, which lived in Mexico and the southern US, was only about 550 pounds and was about waist high to a human, rising just above head height when it stood up to reach for tree branches. Before the sloths became giant, they were represented by their ancestor Hapalops, an older genus found in South America and about the size of a small dog, or a modern sloth. Difficulty: Hard.

 

300 lbs., as tall as a man when raised on its haunches, 100 lbs., like a large dog, one ton, the size of an ox

The aurochs shows up in cave paintings from thousands of years ago. They were tamed by humans in at least two separate events, leading to all the different variations of milk and beef cattle. They were also hunted, and despite attempts to save them, the last aurochs were killed in Poland in the 17th Century. Difficulty: Easy.

 

Holstein, Hereford, Water buffalo

After being exterminated in most of the United States, gray wolves were given federal protection in 1973, and decades of hard work rebounded the population in parts of the western US. The result was a delisting in March 2008, which lasted for four months before they were relisted as endangered. During that brief time, about 6% of the population (which had been fostered for decades) was legally killed. After that incident, gray wolves had an on-again, off-again relationship with the Endangered Species List, being repeatedly delisted, killed relentlessly, hastily relisted, and rebounding in population in comically depressing cycles.

Wolves have regularly been classified as vermin in the western US, and can be killed without question in such instances. Conservationists argue that wolves are a good thing -- they keep animals like elk from exhausting vegetation, and are the only known effective check on coyotes. Ranchers contend that they kill livestock, and they do have a point. For example, in Wyoming in 2010, wolves managed to kill a whopping 26 of the state's 1.3 million cattle. Please, think of the ranchers! Difficulty: Easy.

 

exactly 2, and only because they were trying to eat Gerald Ford, maybe a dozen, and strictly for symbolic purposes, none whatsoever -- ranchers love wolves!

Native to the Virgin Islands, the Saint Croix racer belonged to the largest snake family, the Colubridae. It was declared extinct in 1994. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Bird, Frog, Lizard

These magnificent lions were used by the Romans in their infamous fights in the Coliseum in Rome. Few photographs of these beautiful animals exist and most descriptions of the time describe them as being very large and some sites claim that they were the largest of the subspecies of lions. The lack of food in the area led to these animals living a solitary existence rather than in prides as is seen in other subspecies. They were native to the far northern regions of Africa and roamed the Atlas Mountains.

There have been modern claims by various zoos that they have a Barbary lion, but DNA testing has debunked these claims. Some have shown to have DNA that was indicative of having a possible ancestor that was a Barbary lion. Attempts to "breed back" these selected lions are underway. The other three mountain ranges are found in Southern Africa. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Maloti Mountains, Asbestos Mountains, Langkloof Mountains

The Guam rail is a species that is classified as extinct in the wild. However, about 100 Guam rails were released in Rota in 1995. However, large predators have reduced the number of rails greatly, and, though it is possible that there are a few surviving birds on the island, the likelihood of them remaining is very slim. Interestingly, of eleven species of birds in Guam, nine of them have become extirpated (locally extinct). The remaining two are being bred in captivity. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Guam Pigeon, Guam Sparrow, Guam Flamingo