Hobbies And Interests
West Indian Manatees
West Indian manatees were put on the Endangered Species List in 1973. Also known as sea cows, these mammals are slow moving, slow growing, and slow to reproduce, making them more susceptible to pollutants than other species. Their habitat is often used as recreation areas by humans, which causes a high rate of death compared to other species in the same habitat. They live mostly in Florida, but have been found as far west as Texas and as far north as Massachusetts.
Southern Resident Orcas
Southern Resident Orcas, also known as killer whales, were put on the Endangered Species List in 2005. This pod, or family group, of killer whales live in the Puget Sound of Washington State. It is not known exactly why this group of whales is declining in population. Scientists speculate that it could be due to many factors; lack of males of breeding age, reduced food supply, water pollution and noise pollution are among the hypotheses being discussed.
Light-Footed Clapper Rails
The light-footed clapper rail was placed on the Endangered Species List in 1973. This brown bird about the size of a chicken lives along the coasts of southern California and northern Baja, Mexico. Human development is this bird's main threat. Housing developments and marina dredging have reduced its habitat, and the runoff from development continues to impact what habitat is left.
Salt Marsh Bird's Beak
The Salt Marsh Bird's Beak is a plant placed on the Endangered Species List in 1978. It is an annual, which means this plant only lives for one year, than dies. It grows from 4 to 12 inches tall, just above the high tide mark in marshes along the California and Oregon coasts. These same places are often prime recreational areas for hiking and all-terrain vehicle use. The draining of marshes for development or cattle grazing pastures is also destroying its habitat.