In the eighteenth century 11 species became extinct.

In the nineteenth century 27 species became extinct.

In the twentieth century at least 70 species have become extinct.

More than 150 kinds of birds have become extinct.

Many hundreds of species of insects and spiders have become extinct.

Many sea-creatures are expected to become extinct within a few years.

Many species of mammals are already extinct and many more are endangered.

Some Useful Terms

Adaptation - Characteristic that makes a living thing particularly suited to a habitat

Carnivore - A meat eating animal

Common Species - A living thing whose population is steady or increasing

Endangered - A type or species of living thing that has decreased so much that its population is in great danger of dying out

Extinct - A type or species of living thing that has completely died out either from natural causes or because of human action

Extirpated - An animal or plant that has disappeared from part of its original range

Habitat - The environment in which a species lives and finds food, water and shelter

Herbivore - A plant eating animal

Omnivore - An animal that eats both plants and animals

Pesticide - A chemical used to kill insects and other plant and animal pests

Predator - Animal that hunts other animals to live

Prey - Animal hunted by predators

Species - A particular type of living thing; ex. porcupine, eastern bluebird

Threatened - A type or species of living thing whose numbers are low because of pollution, habitat loss or overhunting. This living thing could begin to die out if it is not protected.