Endangered Land Animals

Birds

• Several species of birds have become endangered over the last century. The California condor is one of the largest. Listed as an endangered species in 1967, these birds live in mountainous regions, often feeding on cattle. Their low birth rate -- often only a couple of eggs per year -- has helped to contribute to their rapid demise. According to the California Condor Conservation group, condor numbers are down to about 330 birds.

  On the opposite side of the North American continent, a smaller bird, the red-cockaded woodpecker, is also in danger. Living in groups, the entire clan of birds helps to raise each other's young.

Large Animals

• Outside of habitat destruction, humans have often found value in animal parts, such as skins and bones. The Bengal tiger is a perfect example of what happens when one's need for animal parts becomes epidemic. The tiger, which inhabits forests around India and Nepal, can live -- on average -- up to 18 years and reaches sexual maturity at age five. Roughly 75 percent of the world's Bengal tigers exist in India, according to the Indian Cultural Wildlife Tours.

  Giant pandas -- inhabitants of Western China -- are bred in captivity to increase the numbers of the species. Rapid habitat destruction has contributed to their decline.

Small Animals

• Many small creatures -- which often get overlooked, due to their size -- also are declining rapidly. One species -- the Hualapai Mexican vole -- lives within the realms of Arizona. The small rodent, which resembles a mouse or gerbil, lives in the ground. Jaguarandi cats are one of the few small, but wild, types of cat species. They live over a vast stretch, ranging from South America to Texas. Deforestation has contributed to their isolation and rapid decline.

Reptiles

• The leatherback sea turtle weighs up to 1,700 lbs. The turtle, which is the deepest-diving turtle, also has a wider range than all other turtle species, despite these facts, the leatherback sea turtle remains critically endangered.

  Like leatherback turtles, Komodo dragons have gained fame and notoriety due to their extremely large size. This heavy lizard weighs well beyond 100 lbs. The species -- which only became well-known about 100 years ago -- has a population of roughly 5,000.