Crows, make up most of the species of bird belonging to the genus 'Corvus'. In many cultures and across history, they have been seen as symbols of intelligence and adaptability.Within the Corvus genus, there are 47 extant species currently recognised, and 36 of these are … [Read more...]
Extinct Animals
Extinct is a classification category on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Threatened Species List.
Extinction occurs when a species — also called “taxon” for the list — no longer exists anywhere on earth.
When scientists have done extensive research and agree that there is no longer a single individual specimen of the species they declare it extinct. Essentially, extinction represents the termination of a taxon.
There are six main reasons why species become extinct:
- Habitat loss
- Introduction of a foreign species
- Hunting
- Pollution
- Disease
- Loss of genetic variation
Conservation Status List
- Extinct
- Extinct in the Wild
- Critically Endangered
- Endangered
- Vulnerable
- Near Threatened
- Least Concern
- Data Deficient
- Not Evaluated
Bandicoots – Small Marsupials With Big Snouts
Ever heard of the Bandicoot? You might have heard of the infamous 'Crash Bandicoot' that was centre stage to a host of PlayStation games. But do you know much about the incredible little marsupials on which that character is very loosely based?These fascinating marsupials, … [Read more...]
Stellers Sea Cow
Stellers sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas) is a an extinct sirenian described by Georg Wilhelm Steller in 1741. Most of what we know about Steller’s sea cow comes from Steller's observations. It belonged to the order Sirenia and the family Dugongidae, of which the dugong (Dugong … [Read more...]
Allosaurus
The Allosaurus has a name that literally means the 'different lizard.' Possibly this was due to the fact that the first bones were discovered during the bone wars between Edward Cope and Othniel Marsh during the late 19th century in Wyoming and Colorado. What started as … [Read more...]
Ankylosaurus
Physical DescriptionThe Ankylosaurus, was a very large dinosaur, potentially measuring up to 30 feet long, 6 feet wide, and about 4 feet high. The defining feature of an ankylosaurus however, is its armor. This hardened exterior consisted of very tough bones and scales … [Read more...]
Apatosaurus
Physical DescriptionThe Apatosaurus is the new name for Brontosaurus (which is this dinosaur’s popular title and the one that most people will know it by).At most the Apatosaurus could only hold its head up about 17 feet off the ground. However, the Apatosaurus was 70 … [Read more...]
Brachiosaurus
Physical DescriptionThe Brachiosaurus was the largest, heaviest, and among the least intelligent dinosaurs found to date. This massive dinosaur could weigh anywhere between a staggering 60 thousand to an unbelievable over 170 thousand pounds (That is roughly 48 mid sized … [Read more...]
Dilophosaurus
The Dilophosaurus was a flesh eating dinosaur that lived in North America and China about 193 million years ago, during the Sinemurian stage of the Early Jurassic Period.Its name refers to twin crests that adorn the skull of this ancient reptile; “two crested lizard”; derived … [Read more...]
Dimetrodon
Physical DescriptionThe Dimetrodon resembled much of what people would misclassify as a “dinosaur.” However, it lived during the Permian period (about 260 million years ago) which is before most dinosaurs. It was about nine feet long, and had legs that were on the side of its … [Read more...]
Edaphosaurus
Physical DescriptionThe Edaphosaurus resembled much of what people would believe today to be a “dinosaur”, however it lived during the Permian period (about 260 million years ago) which is before most dinosaurs. It was very similar to the Dimetrodon in its appearance, except … [Read more...]