Extinct & Endangered – pt.3

An endangered species is one that is likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or locally in a known range.  In some instances, these species may be saved through habitat conservation, breeding assistance, and education.  This final installment on Extinct & Endangered will take a look at three species in North America that have benefited greatly from such efforts.

The Gila Monster, Heloderma suspectum, is the only venomous lizard native to the United States and is listed as near threatened.  Their ranges are quite small, covering 700 to 3000 square feet.  They spend most of their lives in underground burrows, and they are only regularly outside for a couple of hours each day during their mating season, from March to May.  Gila monsters hunt small animals, and prey is eaten alive, head first.  Venom is delivered through their saliva as the prey is chewed and acts to slow the prey’s reactions.  While venom is not deadly to humans, it can cause swelling and severe pain. 

Gila monsters pose no direct threat to humans, usually living in remote areas, but still have a fearsome reputation that contributes to illegal hunting of the species.  They were the first venomous animal in the United States to get legal protection from being collected, killed, or sold.  As development threatens areas where the Gila monster is found, conservationists are moving populations to preserves where there is minimal interactions with humans.  Breeding numbers in the wild are still robust, although captive breeding efforts have been started in zoos across North America.  Education and preservation of appropriate habitat has so far kept this species off the endangered lists.

The black-footed ferret, Mustela nigripes, is listed as endangered, but increasing in population.  Their native range includes southern Canada and the northern United States, but habitat loss and disease have reduced populations to only a few hundred.  They are a playful member of the weasel family, using several vocalizations for communication including barks, chattering, and chuckling.  They are nocturnal and rarely seen in the daytime.  Prairie dogs, hunted in underground burrows at night, are their exclusive food source.

The species was declared extinct in the late 1960s until a dozen individuals were found in Wyoming in the early 1980s.  Deliberate extermination of prairie dog colonies, because they are considered a nuisance species, has had a significant impact on black-footed ferret populations.  Habitat protection and captive breeding programs have been successful at boosting population numbers.  There are now about 300 black-footed ferrets living in Wyoming and other sites in the north central and southwestern United States where individuals have been released.  Habitat loss and disease are still constant threats, and scientists estimate that about 3,000 individuals will be required to save the species from extinction.

The California Condor, Gymnogyps californianus, the largest bird in North America, formerly nested in caves in high cliff faces along the southern California coast until real estate development claimed all of their habitat.  In the 1980s, as the last 34 birds were captured, the species was declared extinct in the wild. 

Condors are slow flyers, soaring in great circles, searching for carcasses of dead animals to eat.  They eat until they are full, and can go about two weeks between meals.  Juveniles may take several months to learn to fly and land gracefully, without crashing.  Condors reach reproductive maturity at four to six years of age, and can live over fifty years.  After mating, females lay only one egg, and mating may not take place every year.

Even with slow reproduction rates, efforts to expand the population by hand-rearing and re-introduction to unaffected habitat have resulted in close to 450 birds back in the wild in California, Utah, Arizona, and the Baja.  Still listed as an endangered species, the California condor is making great progress in rebuilding its population.

Extinct and endangered species can be found in every habitat and location worldwide.  Many are being helped by direct action with hand-rearing and habitat protection.  Indirect action through new laws, conservation support, and education has also had a positive effect.  Many of these species are on display at various nature museums including the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum.  Plan a visit soon to learn more.