Endangered Earth

  Angel Shark - Flat bodied sharks with extended pectoral and pelvic fins -Can grow up to 2.4 Meters lengthwise -Often confused with Stingrays -Use their fins to control their movements -Normally live 25-35 years -They migrate -They are a nocturnal species -Use bioluminescent plankton to hunt prey -They are carnivores -They can camouflage -Their population has decreased by 98% -About 10,000 left in the world  Species habitat and range  Habitat: Sandy areas within coastal regions Niche Sawback Angel Sharks play the role of bottom-feeding predators within their ecosystem, preying on small crustaceans and other bottom-dwelling creatures. Their diet also includes smaller sharks and bony fish. Among the few predators of these sharks are larger sharks and humans (Homo sapiens).  Cause of decline -Fisheries within the bounds that Angel Sharks populate -Habitat destruction caused by humans such as pollution, anchor damage, coastal development and marine infrastructure in areas essential to the

  Red Panda - Reddish-brown fur, white face with tear/crescent markings, and a bushy tail with alternating red and white rings - Scientific Name: Ailurus fulgens -Class: Mammalia -Tend to play in trees -They're about 2 feet long -They use their tail to balance and for warmth in winter -Herbivore -Their diet consists of 90% bamboo -Illegal to buy, sell, or kill Red Pandas -More closely related to racoons than giant pandas -Less than 10,000 left in the world Species Habitat Red pandas inhabit elevated, temperate forests filled with bamboo across the Himalayas and other high-altitude mountain regions. They range from northern Myanmar to the western provinces of Sichuan and Yunnan in China. Additionally, they can be found in suitable places within Nepal, India, and Tibet.  Niche - Red pandas serve as prey for certain predators in their habitat, contributing to the predator-prey dynamics and maintaining the balance within the ecosystem. -As a sensitive species to environmental changes a

  Axolotls -Amphibian with short legs, long tail, and gills on the top of their head -Can be brown, pink, and black, and light -Scientific Name: Ambystoma mexicanum - Class: Amphibia -Can live 10-15 years -Can grow up to 12 inches -Doesn't go through metamorphosis -They can regenerate organs and limbs -Approximately 50 to 1000 Axolotls left in the wild -They are specifically critically endangered in the wild Species Habitat & Range Axolotl's are native to Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco and their habitat includes freshwater sources and lakes.  Niche Axolotls used to be the apex predators within their environment but after the introduction of an invasive species, they instead experienced a decrease in population. They prey on smaller predators and keep them from overpopulating. Without Axolotl's there would be a significant decrease in biodiversity as there are only a small amount left in the wild. Cause of Decline -Urbanization of Xochimilco -Invasive Species were intro

 Chinese Giant Salamander Salamander that can be gray, green, or brown and has a flat head with short limbs and a long tail. - Family: Cryptobranchidae -Class: Amphibia -1/3 of the Giant Salamander Types - Can grow up to 6 feet long -Lives underwater  -Breathes using cutaneous respiration  - Appear like they're smiling due to their mouth shape -Small eyes that don't allow them to see much - They thrive at night compared to the morning -Less than 50,000 left in the world Habitat & Range Figure 1:  Distribution of Chinese Giant Salamander as of 2014 Figure 2: The Chinese Giant Salamander is naturally found in the rocky mountainous rivers, and expansive streams of China. Niche These salamanders occupy the apex predator role in fast-flowing, freshwater environments, where they consume a variety of prey including fish, many more aquatic critters, and even smaller salamanders. As primary predator in their niche, if they were to go extinct, the other animals populations would grow

Hello, my name is Zoe Johnson! I am a 2nd year medical science major. My favorite animals are Red Pandas and I love peonies. I'm excited to take this class as I'm an animal lover and would love to learn about animal conservation!