Endangered Species

Many of the world’s animal species are endangered. Unfortunately there are a great many people that don’t even realize this. Species have become extinct without hardly a blink of the human eye. Why should these species matter to you? Why should you care? You should care because they are part of the history of the planet on which you live. They are part of the ecosystem and part of the balance of this world. When one species dominates others to the point of extinction or endangerment the balance of the world is upset. You may laugh and shrug your shoulders at a statement such as the one I just made but the effects of a planetary imbalance is already being felt in the natural disasters that have plagued our world recently. Whether you believe this is happening or not let’s take a look at some of the animals on the endangered list.

The blue whale is the largest animal on Earth weighing in at a maximum of one hundred and fifty tons and seventy to eighty feet in length. The blue whale travels alone or in small groups. The population of this animal is so low that it is in danger of extinction. The biggest threats to the survival of this species are pollution and illegal whaling.

The cheetah is well known for its amazing speed. It is the fastest moving animal on land in the world. The cheetah has been clocked at seventy miles per hour. It is easily recognized by its beautiful spotted coat. The cheetah weighs approximately one hundred and ten to one hundred and forty pounds and has a lifespan of ten to twelve years. Cheetahs are solitary animals that produce two to four offspring at a time. The primary factors that have endangered these magnificent animals are a loss of prey and habitat.

The bobcat lives in forests and mountain areas. This animal, named for its short tail is related to the lynx. Bobcats are territorial animals that are excellent hunters. They have a lifespan of approximately ten to twelve years. They produce one to six offspring at a time. Hunting is a factor that threatens this animal.