Have you ever wondered about how many species have gone extinct? It might surprise you to learn that the official number is quite small. Hi, I’m Kate from MinuteEarth, and today we’re diving into the topic of extinction and why the numbers might not tell the whole story.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), only 902 animal and plant species have been declared extinct since the year 1500. This number seems low, especially when you consider the millions of species that exist on Earth. But why is this number so small?
The IUCN can only monitor a small fraction of the approximately 2 million known species. This means many species might have gone extinct without us even realizing it. Additionally, scientists estimate there could be anywhere from 3 million to 100 million species that we haven’t discovered yet. Many of these undiscovered species could be disappearing without us ever knowing they existed.
Declaring a species extinct isn’t as simple as it sounds. The IUCN only does so when there’s “no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died.” Right now, there are about 2,100 species that haven’t been seen in at least a decade. While they aren’t officially extinct, they are essentially missing.
Take the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, for example. It hasn’t been seen in 57 years. The Fat Catfish hasn’t been spotted in 65 years, and the Blanco Blind Salamander has been missing for 71 years. In fact, a quarter of these missing species haven’t been seen in over a hundred years.
Sometimes, species thought to be extinct are rediscovered. The Seychelles Giant Tortoise was found alive 150 years after it was presumed extinct. The black-browed babbler reappeared after 170 years. And the Coelacanth, a fish known only from ancient fossils, was discovered alive in 1938 near Madagascar.
Labeling a species as extinct too soon could remove important protections that might be helping it survive. This is why the IUCN is cautious about declaring these 2,100 missing species extinct, even though many likely are.
While the official extinction numbers might be lower than reality, it’s important to keep these missing species in a state of uncertainty. This helps ensure that conservation efforts continue. If you’re interested in learning more about conservation, check out Planet Wild, which sponsored this video. They have a great video about saving the Little Owl that you might enjoy.
Choose an extinct species from the IUCN list and research its history, habitat, and reasons for extinction. Create a presentation to share with the class, highlighting what we can learn from this species’ extinction and how it relates to current conservation efforts.
Imagine you are a scientist discovering a new species. Create a detailed profile of your species, including its habitat, diet, and any unique characteristics. Present your findings to the class and discuss the importance of discovering new species for biodiversity and conservation.
Participate in a class debate on whether resources should be focused on protecting known endangered species or searching for potentially undiscovered species. Prepare arguments for both sides and engage in a respectful discussion about conservation priorities.
Create a timeline that includes significant extinctions and rediscoveries of species, such as the Coelacanth and the Seychelles Giant Tortoise. Use this timeline to discuss the challenges of declaring species extinct and the impact of rediscoveries on conservation efforts.
Work in groups to design a conservation campaign for a species that is currently “missing” but not officially declared extinct. Develop strategies to raise awareness and propose actions to help protect this species, then present your campaign to the class.
Here’s a thought-provoking perspective: Not enough species are extinct. Hi, I’m Kate, and this is MinuteEarth. Let me clarify—I’m not advocating for more species to go extinct. What I mean is that only 902 animal and plant species have been officially declared extinct worldwide by the IUCN, the organization responsible for tracking extinctions. This number seems surprisingly small, and that’s because it is; there are actually many more than 902 extinct species.
For context, that figure only includes species that have gone extinct since 1500, so it doesn’t account for all the dinosaurs and other ancient species that disappeared long ago. Even when we focus on more recent extinctions, many species remain uncounted. Although there are approximately 2 million known species on our planet, the IUCN only has the capacity to closely monitor a tiny fraction of them. Therefore, it’s likely that there are species we know of that have gone extinct without us realizing it. Additionally, there are countless species that we haven’t even discovered yet—estimates range from 3 million to 100 million, depending on the source. This means that many species are disappearing without ever being identified.
However, the issue of extinction is more complex than just the official count. The IUCN only declares a species extinct when there is “no reasonable doubt that the last individual of a species has died.” Currently, there are 2,100 endangered species that haven’t been spotted in at least a decade. While they aren’t “officially” extinct, they are essentially…missing. For example, the Ivory-billed Woodpecker hasn’t been seen in 57 years, the Fat Catfish in 65 years, and the Blanco Blind Salamander has been unobserved for 71 years. In fact, a quarter of these missing species haven’t been seen in over a hundred years.
We could consider all species that have been missing for a certain period—say, 50 years—as extinct, which seems reasonable. However, the Seychelles Giant Tortoise was found alive 150 years after it was presumed extinct, and the black-browed babbler reappeared after being missing for 170 years. Then there’s the Coelacanth, a fish known only from 240-million-year-old fossils until it was discovered alive in 1938 near Madagascar.
Thus, we can’t determine extinction solely based on how long a species has been missing. Moreover, if we prematurely label a species as extinct, it could jeopardize any environmental protections that might still be preserving it. This is why the IUCN is hesitant to classify any of these 2,100 missing species as extinct, even though many of them likely are.
So, it may make sense to keep these missing species in a state of uncertainty, even if it means the official number of extinctions is significantly lower than the reality. If you care about extinction—specifically in the context of conservation, as I believe our viewers do—then I want to introduce you to Planet Wild, which sponsored this video. You can find a video about saving the Little Owl, which is aptly named, right here…
Species – A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding. – The panda is an endangered species that requires special protection to survive.
Extinction – The state or process of a species, family, or larger group being or becoming extinct. – The extinction of the dodo bird was caused by human activities and introduced predators.
Conservation – The protection and preservation of natural resources and the environment. – Conservation efforts are crucial to protect the rainforest and its diverse wildlife.
Biodiversity – The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem. – The Amazon rainforest is known for its incredible biodiversity, hosting thousands of different species.
Discoveries – The action or process of discovering or being discovered, especially in the context of scientific research. – Recent discoveries in marine biology have revealed new species living in the deep ocean.
Environment – The surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates. – Pollution is a major threat to the environment, affecting air, water, and soil quality.
Animals – Living organisms that feed on organic matter, typically having specialized sense organs and nervous systems and able to respond rapidly to stimuli. – Animals like elephants and tigers are often found in wildlife documentaries due to their fascinating behaviors.
Plants – Living organisms that typically grow in a permanent site, absorb water and inorganic substances through roots, and synthesize nutrients in their leaves by photosynthesis. – Plants play a vital role in the ecosystem by producing oxygen and providing food for other organisms.
Awareness – Knowledge or perception of a situation or fact, especially regarding environmental issues. – Raising awareness about climate change is essential to encourage people to adopt more sustainable practices.
Nature – The phenomena of the physical world collectively, including plants, animals, the landscape, and other features and products of the earth, as opposed to humans or human creations. – Spending time in nature can help reduce stress and improve mental well-being.
