Endangered species are like fire alarms. They tell us about problems in our home we call Earth. If we listen

to their alarm calls, they could help us improve our lives and the health of our planet.

When the last of a type of plant or animal in the world dies, such as dinosaurs, then they are extinct or lost

forever, and can never be brought back. This is a passenger pigeon. It is extinct.

An endangered species is one that is getting close to extinction. This is the endangered black rhinoceros that

lives in Africa.

Gray wolves are also endangered. They once roamed widely across North America. As predators, they keep their prey in balance with nature by making sure the

prey species does not become over-populated.

A threatened species is just a step behind, and may soon become endangered if we don't help. This is the

threatened green sea turtle that lives in oceans.

The African elephant, the largest land animal on Earth, is also a threatened species. Thousands of these

animals have been killed by poachers, who cut off their ivory tusks to make carvings and sell them for money.

It is because of habitat loss that spotted owls are threatened. Cutting of timber means less

habitat for these animals. Conserving owl habitat will also provide many other wildlife

species with places to live.

There are two reasons why tigers are endangered—habitat loss and illegal killing. Tigers and many other endangered species are killed illegally for

their skins.

Human actions are the main problem facing the endangered manatee. They live in rivers, canals, and

along the coast of Florida. Sometimes speed boats run over manatees, hurting or killing them. Florida passed a law to protect manatees, and speed limits for boats are

also helping to protect them.

Not all endangered species are mammals and birds we are familiar with. There are also many insects

and other small, less-known animals that are disappearing from our planet. This is the

endangered Lange's metalmark butterfly.

Many plants, like this insect-eating pitcher

plant, are endangered. In areas like tropical rainforests, we are

losing species sometimes before they

are even discovered and given a name.

Many endangered plants like this bunched cory

cactus are victims of people over-collecting them.

All living things, from mammals to fish and insects, are connected and depend on each other for survival. The removal of one species can set off a chain reaction affecting other species.

All living things are connected to each other including humans. It is like a web. We are quickly

learning that when we remove anything in nature, something else is affected.

It has been estimated that a disappearing plant can take with it up to 30 other species, including

insects, higher animals and even other plants.

Endangered species show us that our world may not be as healthy as we think and that we need to take better care of it...there's no place else to go.

The American alligator is an example of a success story. Killing for the leather trade threatened this

reptile with extinction. In 1987, it was taken off the endangered species list, due to the efforts of many

agencies working together to save it.

Bald eagles are another great success

story, and a good example of how we

need to keep our environment clean. The number of adult

nesting pairs has increased from 450 in

the 1960's to over 4000 now.

What can you do to help endangered species? Here are some ideas for you to think about.

Remember, endangered means there is still time.