Hobbies And Interests
Climate Change
Many animals are extremely susceptible to even minute changes in the climate of their habitats. These climate changes can be naturally occurring or man-made. Changes in temperature, rainfall and sea levels are currently impacting many species around the world. For example, the sex of alligators is determined by the temperature at which their eggs are incubated, impacting their sustainability.
Habitat Destruction
Human development and expansion leads to the endangerment of many animals. For instance, logging destroys habitats and also leads to the construction of roads. Another threat faced by animals is deforestation, caused by the clearing of land for agricultural use.
Hunting
Hunting poses a tremendous threat to animals. Many animals are being hunted to extinction for their skins, furs and tusks. Examples include the mountain gorilla, targeted by the bushmeat trade, and the Javan rhinoceros, hunted for its ivory tusk. Other species are being hunted because they pose a threat to humans or are a threat to agriculture and farm animals.
Natural Selection
Many animals are endangered due to the threat posed by natural selection. For example, the Arctic fox is being threatened by its more adaptable cousin, the red fox. Other animals simply suffer from unusually high death rates and/or low reproductive rates.
Food Source
Some animals, such as the Chinese giant salamander, are endangered because they provide an important, readily accessible source of food for humans. This salamander, the world's largest amphibian, has been nearly eradicated by over-exploitation as a food source in China.
Shrinking Food Web
Many animals are endangered because they are being forced to compete for shrinking food resources. Commercial fishing often reduces the availability of prey in the oceans. Furthermore, many of the animals and insects humans attempt to eradicate as pests or threats are the primary prey for other animals.
Pollution
Pollution poses another major threat to animals. Micro-trash, such as bottle caps, screws and wires, can be ingested by animals. Worse still, many animals find their habitats polluted by hazardous chemicals, such as lead, oil, antifreeze and pesticides. The California condor is an example of a species suffering the effects of pollution.
Disease
Just like humans, animals suffer from disease. Animals are often affected by diseases spread by domesticated animals or that are introduced into their habitat by humans. Examples of the threat posed by disease include the mountain gorilla, which is suffering from the Ebola virus, and North American bats, which are being killed in large numbers by white nose syndrome.