Hobbies And Interests
Gray Bat
The gray bat, Myotis grisescens, is a small, cave-dwelling bat found in the southern United States. According to the IUCN Red List website, about 95 percent of the entire known population hibernates in eight or nine caves, with over half in just one cave.
American Burying Beetle
Nicrophorus americanus, commonly known as the American burying beetle, is a critically endangered species of beetle native to North America. This nocturnal, carnivorous beetle can be recognized by its shiny black body with orange or red spots. Loss of habitat is the principal cause of the beetle's declining numbers.
Black-footed Ferret
Over the last 100 years, farmers and ranchers have eliminated many prairie dogs, the main prey of the black-footed ferret. This has placed the ferret's existence under threat of extinction. In 1987, 18 animals were captured in the wild to begin a captive breeding program, says the National Geographic website. The results have been mixed, but have nonetheless offered the species a far greater chance of survival.
Whooping Crane
The whooping crane is North America's tallest bird, with male adults reaching a height of almost 5 feet when standing erect. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website, the total population of wild and captive whooping cranes in July 2010 was only 535.
Eskimo Curlew
The Eskimo curlew has not been recorded with certainty since the early 1980s. This small, cinnamon-colored curlew was once found in large numbers, but hunting and habitat loss have contributed to a drastic population decline. The bird could possibly be extinct, but some breeding areas are still waiting to be surveyed.
Least Tern
The least tern is a small, migratory tern that winters in Central and South America before returning to North America to breed. Despite being categorized as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the relatively large global population has led the IUCN Red List to categorize the bird as of "Least Concern."
Pallid Sturgeon
The pallid sturgeon is largely restricted to the main channels of the Missouri River and the lower Mississippi River. It is one of the rarest and largest freshwater fish in North America. Declining water quality and the construction of dams have both contributed to the pallid sturgeon's endangered status.
Topeka Shiner
The Topeka shiner is a small, silvery minnow found mainly in small prairie streams. The fish is totally dependent on clean water to survive. Water quality issues have placed the species in danger.