Project Learning Tree Life on the Edge Activity

PLT PreK8_Act76-96–FRZ 11/1/05 2:33 PM Page 385

StudentPage Life on the Edge

Endangered Species – anative species or subspecies that is in serious danger of becoming extinct throughoutall,or a significantportion, of its range as a result of one or more causes,including loss of habitat, overexploitation,competition, or disease.

Threatened Species – anative species that,while not presently threatened with extinction, is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future if not given special protection and management efforts.

Rare Species – anative species that, although not presently threatened with extinction, exists in such small numbers throughoutits range thatitmay become threatened if its presentenvironmental conditions worsen.

Species Name:

1. What is its status? (See above.) 6. Why is it rare,threatened, or endangered?

2. Wheredoes it live? 7. Areanycurrentactions being taken to improve its chances of survival?

3. Whatdoes it look like? 8. What are some ways in which people can reduce or eliminate the threats to the survival of the species?

4. Whatis its habitat?

9. What other species depend on it?

5. Whatis the currentrange of its population?

10. Whyis it importantthatthis species sur- vive? (Giveseveral reasons.)

Activity 88 • Life on the Edge Project Learning Tree • PreK–8Activity Guide ©American Forest Foundation 385 PLT PreK8_Act76-96–FRZ 11/1/05 2:33 PM Page 386

StudentPage Some Endangered Species

Giant Panda Bengal Tiger Pandas live in the Himalayan range of central Asia, Lurking in the forests and mangrove swamps of India, generally ataltitudes between 5,000 and 10,000 feet Myanmar,Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal, the 500- (1,524 and 3,048 meters). It is believed that this pound (226.5-kg) Bengal tiger subsists on a daily diet of territory is only a fraction of their former range. A few about60-80 pounds (27.2-36.2 kg) of meat. Of the thousand years ago,giantpandas roamed throughout 40,000 tigers found in India in 1900,fewer than 2,000 much of eastern China. Their range was diminished of these carnivores remained in 1973. Habitatloss of largely by the destruction of their natural habitat, the both tigers and their prey and directkilling of tigers bamboo forest on steep mountain slopes. are principal factors in reducing the population. So extensive is the loss of habitatthat the Bengal tiger The primary often resorts to killing livestock. Three of the eightsub- danger to giant species of tigers are already considered extinct. With pandas is the conservation efforts that involve both preservation of destruction of habitat space and natural prey,the number of Bengal their bamboo tigers has recently increased to about4,000. habitatcaused by development. Jaguarundi According to Weighing 10-15 pounds (4.5-6.8 kg), this wild catis some maps,roads indigenous to the Americas,living in regions thatvary now penetrate from the tropical Central and South American forests the deep bamboo to the deserts of Texas,Arizona, and Mexico. Unlike forests. most wild cats,the jaguarundi actively hunts for its meals (usually rodents) during morning hours,instead Key Deer of at night. The jaguarundi abandons its solitary exis- Asubspecies of white-tailed deer,the Key deer of the tenceonly tomate.This agile catis endangered by Florida Keys prefer the hardwood, pine, and mangrove habitat destruction and poaching. forests by day,butventure into meadows at nightto feed. This deer has lived in isolation from the continen- Red Ruffed Lemur tal United States for thousands of years and exhibits Although resembling monkeys, the lemur stands dis- solitary behavior that contrasts sharply with other tinctfrom other primates because of its smaller brain, whitetailed deer,which are communal in nature. pointed snout, comb-like teeth, and scentglands. Aboutthe size of a large dog,the Key deer breeds from Inhabiting the tropical rain forests of eastern September to November when it is three to five years Madagascar,this endangered animal feeds on fruit old and usually has one offspring. and flowers during the day.

Motor traffic and loss of habitat caused by resort Separated from mainland Africa by nearly 200 miles developmenthave devastated the Key deer population, and for approximately 65 million years,Madagascar is reducing it to fewer than 300 members. Strategies for home to plants and animals that are found no place strengthening the deer population include extending else on Earth. The prosimians,a primitive group of pri- the boundaries of the Key Deer Refuge,enforcing lower mates to which red ruffed lemurs belong,is an exam- speed limits at night, and filling the deep ditches in ple.Deforestation and hunting of these animals con- which fawns often drown. tribute to dwindling populations. Fourteen species of prosimians are extinct.