26 Endangered Animals in The US

some endangered animals

source by: Conde Nast Traveller

Endangered animals are a type of organism that is threatened by extinction. There are two main reasons species can become endangered: habitat loss and loss of genetic variation. Loss of habitat can occur naturally, and it can also result from human activities. A typical example is the extinction of dinosaurs.

Currently, in the United States, many species are endangered, and to help you understand the current state better, we have compiled a list of 26 of the many endangered species that are only found in the United States.

Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse

a Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse on the plant

source by: Google

Scientific name: Reithrodontomys raviventris

Red List status: Endangered

Geographic range: California

The Saltmarsh harvest mouse is the first endangered species on our list. It was found around the Bay Area relatively recently, but it has become threatened due to habitat loss. No thanks to human development, mouse populations are isolated from one another and cannot breed properly.

Utah Prairie Dog

an utah prairie dog on the ground

source by: The Property and Environment Research Center

Scientific name: Cynomys provides

Red List status: Endangered

Geographic range: Utah

The Utah Prairie Dog was declared endangered in 1973. However, over the last 30 years, the population has been stable to increase, and the Utah Prairie Dog is now federally recognized as threatened rather than endangered. Threats like urban expansion, climate change, and resource exploration remain, but the prairie dog has made a strong recovery.

Red Wolf

a Red Hills salamander

source by: Wildwnc.org

Scientific name: Canis rufus

Red List status: Critically endangered

Geographic range: North Carolina

Red Wolves were once found along much of the Southeast, but habitat destruction, hunting, and more have dwindled their range to the point that they are only found in North Carolina. They’re one of the most endangered canids on Earth. Red wolves are also highly endangered because of interactions with coyotes, which can hurt the species’ viability long term.

Kauai Cave Wolf Spider

a big Kauai cave wolf spider 1 1

source by: Kidadl

Scientific name: Adelocosa stops

Red List status: Endangered

Geographic range: Hawaii

The Kauai cave wolf is a highly unusual spider that can only be found in caves in the Koloa district of Kauai, Hawaii. Wolf spiders usually utilize their vision to catch their prey rather than webs, but the Kauai cave wolf is unique because it is eyeless, relying only on swift motion to hunt. Because they have such specific habitat needs, the cave wolf is highly vulnerable to habitat destruction from construction, human visitation, and other sources.

Laysan Duck

a stadning Laysan duck

source by: Birdsoftheworld.org

Scientific name: Anas laysanensis

Red List status: Critically endangered

Geographic range: Hawaii

Ducks don’t immediately come to mind when we consider an endangered species, but this particular one is. In fact, the Laysan duck, once found all over the Hawaiian islands, is now the rarest native waterfowl in the United States, and populations exist only on Laysan Island and on a wildlife refuge at Midway Atoll.

Yosemite Toad

a resting Yosemite toad 1 2

source by: S3.amazonaws

Scientific name: Anaxyrus canorus

Red List status: Endangered

Geographic range: California

The Yosemite Toad, endemic to the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Northern California, is covered in warts; the females also have splotches all over their bodies. They’re only found in a 150-mile range and are particularly vulnerable to habitat destruction.

Gunnison Sage-grouse

a standing Gunnison sage-grouse

source by: Allaboutbirds.org

Scientific name: Centrocercus minimus

Red List status: Endangered

Geographic range: Colorado, Utah

The Gunnison sage-grouse is an unusual species of bird found only in the Southwest. They face threats from various sources, but their habitat has been largely ravaged by oil and gas drilling. Environmental groups are fighting hard to protect the animal’s remaining habitat from further drilling.

Devils Hole Pupfish

a devils hole pupfish

source by: US Fish and Wildlife Service

Scientific name: Cyprinodon diabolis

Red List status: Critically endangered

Geographic range: Nevada

This tiny, bright blue fish (only one inch in length) is only found naturally in the Devils Hole cavern in Nevada, the waters of which are 93 degrees. This small fish got its name because of the way they swim and move, which observers often likened to the frolic and play.

Devils hole pupfish is one of the most endangered animals on our list.

Fan Shell

two fan shell on the ground

source by: Public Domain Pictures

Scientific name: Cyprogenia stegaria

Red List status: Critically endangered

Geographic range: Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia

The Fanshell mussel has been severely impacted by human activity like dredging, mining, and water pollution. Water conservation activities and erosion prevention are essential to keeping the mussel from disappearing.

Giant Kangaroo Rat

a cute brown kangaroo rat on the ground

source by: WIRED

Scientific name: Dipodomys ingens

Red List status: Endangered

Geographic range: California

Giant kangaroo rats are the largest species in their family. They got their name because they stand up on their hind feet and hop to move, like a kangaroo. They create complex burrow systems that sometimes have more than five separate entrances.

Delta Green Ground Beetle

a Delta green ground beetle in the grass

source by: Baynature.org

Scientific name: Elaphrus Viridis

Red List status: Critically endangered

Geographic range: California

This beetle has a range of only about 7,000 acres in Solano County, Calif. Natural gas reserves exist in the beetle’s habitat, so natural gas exploration could further threaten it. Because it is unusually colorful, it could also be a target for illegal collectors.

Jollyville Plateau Salamander

a jollyville plateau salamander on a stone

source by: Wikipedia

Scientific name: Eurycea Tonkawa

Red List status: Endangered

Geographic range: Texas

This unique salamander spends its entire life underwater. It was only discovered in 2000, but already its population has declined dramatically due to the sensitive nature of these amphibians. The Jollyville Plateau salamander is highly threatened by development, which groups like The Center for Biological Diversity fight in areas known to be inhabited by this species.

California Condor

a black California condor 1 3

source by: Wbur.org

Scientific name: Gymnogyps californianus

Red List status: Critically endangered

Geographic range: California, Arizona, Utah

Condors are the largest flying birds in North America. Their wingspan is nearly 10 feet from tip to tip. After they almost went extinct, the remaining ten wild condors were captured in 1987; reintroduction began in 1992.

American Burying Beetle

two American burying beetle

source by: Researchfeatures

Scientific name: Nicrophorus americanus

Red List status: Critically endangered

Geographic range: Arkansas, Kansas, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas

Burying beetles survive off of the carcasses of dead animals, which they bury in the ground. Biologists aren’t sure what has led to their rapid decline, but it may have been caused by declines in other species that they rely on to eat.

Squirrel Chimney Cave Shrimp

a white squirrel chimney cave shrimp in the water

source by: US Fish and Wildlife Service

Scientific name: Palaemonetes cummings

Red List status: Critically endangered

Geographic range: Florida

This tiny, translucent shrimp has only been found in a single sinkhole in Florida. Because they are so rare, very little is known about them at this point.

Crested Honeycreeper (Akohekohe)

a black akohekohe on the tree

source by: Lyman Museum

Scientific name: Palmeria dole

Red List status: Critically endangered

Geographic range: Hawaii

The Crested Honeycreeper, known in traditional Hawaiian as ‘Ākohekohe, was once found on both Maui and Molokai but is now only found on Maui. It is known for its acrobatic movements and how it runs across treetops.

Red Hills Salamander

a red hills salamander is moving on the grass

source by: NRDC

Scientific name: Phaeognathus hubristic

Red List status: Endangered

Geographic range: Alabama

The Red Hills salamander is unusually large; it can be up to 11 inches long! Unfortunately, its range is very limited. In fact, it is the only terrestrial vertebrate entirely confined to the state.

Louisiana Pine Snake

a brown louisiana pine snake on the ground

source by: Wikiwand

Scientific name: Pituophis ruthveni

Red List status: Endangered

Geographic range: Louisiana, Texas

The Louisiana pine snake, one of the rarest snakes in North America, is known for its large eggs. It rarely appears in the wild anymore, but when it does, it lives out its days in the warren of tunnels created by pocket gophers, which it eats.

Woundfin

a swimming Woundfin

source by: Shreveporttimes

Scientific name: Plagopterus argentissimus

Red List status: Critically endangered

Geographic range: Arizona, Utah, Nevada

Woundfins are tiny minnows that once occupied much of the Colorado River Basin. But because of habitat destruction, invasive species, and other issues, its populations have dwindled significantly. Increased water temperatures are one of the biggest threats to the fish.

Alabama Red-bellied Turtle

an alabama red-bellied turtle in the water

source by: Youtube

Scientific name: Pseudemys alabamensis

Red List status: Endangered

Geographic range: Alabama

Named for its bright underbelly, which can be read or yellow, this turtle makes its home in freshwater rivers, ponds, and bayous. Unfortunately, when the turtles come onto land to lay eggs, they target drivers who don’t see them. The Alabama Department of Transportation has built fences to keep them off highways and has signed on roads during hatching season to keep them safer.

Bruneau Hot Springsnail

a bruneau hot springsnail

source by: Earth

Scientific name: Pyrgulopsis bruneauensis

Red List status: Critically endangered

Geographic range: Idaho

This unusual snail is found only in hot springs in Idaho. It is vulnerable because of this, mainly because of groundwater withdrawal from agriculture. It has also fallen prey to some newly introduced species.

Mountain Yellow-legged Frog

a Mountain yellow-legged frog

source by: Usgs.gov

Scientific name: Rana muscosa

Red List status: Endangered

Geographic range: California

These frogs are usually found within just a few feet of a water source. They mainly appear at high elevations, ranging from 4,500 to 12,000 feet. Unfortunately, fish farming has been a significant threat to the frogs, as fish stock competes with them for food.

Flattened Musk Turtle

a crowling Flattened musk turtle

source by: Encyclopediaofalabama.org

Scientific name: Sternotherus depressus

Red List status: Critically endangered

Geographic range: Alabama

The flattened musk turtle is one of the most endangered animals. It can take this tiny turtle up to 60 years to reach its full length—which is only 12 centimeters. Habitat fragmentation has had a major impact on the turtle, although Alabama now protects it, and recovery efforts are underway to restore its habitat.

Coachella Valley Fringe-toed Lizard

a coachella valley fringe-toed lizard on the ground

source by: Wikimedia Commons

Scientific name: Uma inornata

Red List status: Endangered

Geographic range: California

This lizard has adapted to life in the harsh desert. It spends most of its daylight hours “swimming” in the sand: burrowing underneath during the worst of the heat. Its biggest threat is human development in its habitat.

Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel

two idaho ground squirrels on the ground

source by: Bonners Ferry Herald

Scientific name: Urocitellus brunneus

Red List status: Critically endangered bullet fragments

Geographic range: Idaho

This rare squirrel relies on large amounts of grass and seeds to fatten up for its long winter hibernation. Fire suppression efforts have greatly reduced its food supply, leading to population decline.

White River Spinedace

a swimming White River Spinedace

source by: S3-us-west-2.amazonaws

Scientific name: Lepidomeda albivallis

Red List status: Critically endangered

Geographic range: Nevada.

Finally on our shortlist of endangered species is the White River Spinedace. It is among the most endangered animals due to the effects of habitat alterations and the introduction of exotic, predatory and competing fishes.

26 Endangered Animals in the World

source by: Innovationcloud

That’s a wrap on our shortlist of endangered species in the US. This list is not exhaustive as there bunch of other animals, such as the loggerhead sea turtle, Columbia basin pygmy rabbit, giant sea bass, staghorn coral, monarch butterfly, Mitchell’s satyr butterfly, San Joaquin kit fox, Smalltooth sawfish, amongst many others on the endangered species list.

However, we hope you have learned a few things, and more importantly, the importance of the conservation of our wildlife and the entire species in the animal kingdom. While the United States Fish and Wildlife service agency is working to protect endangered species, it is imperative that we also do our part in ensuring the safety of these species.

We don’t want to lose these beautiful creatures to extinction anytime soon. Hence, the endangered species act is one that we must ensure to live by and keep to.

While you are here, do well to check out our animatronic products of different animals. Similarly, we have puppets of all your favorite animals.

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