24 of the most endangered animals in the US

Zoë Miller,Caroline FoxMay 12, 2020, 03:22 IST

Giant sea bass are critically endangered because of over fishing.NatalieJean/Shutterstock

The earth has anywhere from 5.3 million to 1 trillion different species.
Over 31,000 species are already considered to be threatened with extinction.
Florida panthers, giant sea bass, and the red wolf are just a few of the animals listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
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While our planet boasts incredible biodiversity, 99.9% of species that have ever existed on Earth are now extinct.

It was estimated that the earth boasts anywhere between 5.3 million to 1 trillion species. In 2020, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assessed 116,177 species from four categories: vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, and fungi & protists, and a little over 31,000 were considered threatened with extinction.

To find the most imperiled creatures ranging from amphibians to avians, Insider consulted data from the IUCN Red List and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Keep reading to learn about 24 of the most endangered species in the US.

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The Razorback Sucker's population is believed to have declined by 80 percent over the last three generations.

A USFW Biologist holds holds the rare Razorback Sucker on a recent outing on the Colorado River. Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty Images

The Akohekohe, or crested honeykeeper, is the largest bird of its kind in Maui and is predominantly threatened by deer.

The Akohekohe is not pictured, but also features orange splotches throughout its body and head. Michael Siluk/Shutterstock

The Florida cave shrimp has only been found in a single limestone cave in Florida and were last seen there in 1973.

Florida cave shrimp not pictured. Brandon B/Shutterstock

The entire species of the Maui parrotbill is fenced in to prevent threats from feral pigs and deer.

The bill can be used to split branches and extract larvae. Thipwan/Shutterstock

The coral pink sand dunes tiger beetle is critically endangered and only found in Utah.

The tiger beetles range from 11 to 15 millimeters in length. Ferdy Timmerman/Shutterstock

The grotto sculpin is found in the caves of Perry County, Missouri.

The grotto sculpin not pictured. Silvlandia/Shutterstock

Mississippi sandhill cranes are found only at a wildlife refuge in Jackson County, Mississippi.

Around 100 of the cranes live at the refuge. Jean Faucett/Shutterstock

The Kanab ambersnail is found only in Utah and in Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park.

The Kanab ambersnail is not pictured. Erik Agar/Shutterstock

The Ozark hellbender is a large, aquatic salamander found in Missouri and Arkansas.

The Ozark hellbender is nocturnal, usually hiding under large rocks during the day. Jay Ondreicka/Shutterstock

California condors nearly perished for good in the 1980s, but an intensive captive breeding program brought them back from the brink of extinction.

The species' decline has been attributed to lead poisoning and to the reduced eggshell thickness from DDT. Georgi Baird/Shutterstock

Bog turtles are threatened by damage to their wetland habitat. They're also in demand in the pet trade.

There are two separate populations of bog turtles. Jay Ondreicka/Shutterstock

The Mitchell's satyr butterfly is found only in Michigan and Indiana, where it lives in rare wetlands known as fens.

The species can be identified by the orange-ringed black circular eyespots on its wings. Sari ONeal/Shutterstock

Like sharks and rays, smalltooth sawfish are members of a cartilaginous group of fish called elasmobranchs.

In adulthood, smalltooth sawfish can weigh up to 770 pounds. Reimar/Shutterstock

There are fewer than 250 dusky gopher frogs, which are found only in Mississippi.

Dusky gopher frog not pictured. Luke P Ferguson/Shutterstock

The Franklin's bumble bee was last sighted in 2006 by a retired entomologist.

Franklin's bumble bee not pictured. Bachkova Natalia/Shutterstock

Staghorn coral has experienced a population reduction of more than 80% over the past 30 years.

This coral species is found in shallow tropical reefs from Florida to Venezuela. John A. Anderson/Shutterstock

Although they're now protected in California and Mexico, giant sea bass are critically endangered due to over fishing.

Giant sea bass are found from California's Humboldt Bay to the tip of Baja California. NatalieJean/Shutterstock

Ramsey Canyon leopard frogs have been found at just five sites in Arizona, including backyard ponds.

As habitat generalists, these amphibians thrive in aquatic areas in oak woodlands and semi-desert grasslands. Alexander Sviridov/Shutterstock

The Eskimo curlew was last sighted with certainty in 1963 — and some scientists speculate it might already be extinct.

Eskimo curlews once migrated between breeding grounds in Alaska and Canada and their winter home in Argentina. Tom Middleton/Shutterstock

The Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit is the smallest rabbit species — and one of the most endangered.

The main reason for the rabbits' decline is the destruction of their sagebrush habitat. Randy Bjorklund/Shutterstock

Found in the southern tip of the Sunshine State, there are only 100 to 180 Florida panthers in the wild.

Panthers once lived across the southeastern US from Florida to Arkansas. jo Crebbin/Shutterstock

The Kemp's ridley turtle is critically endangered.

Despite their small stature, adult Kemp's ridley turtles can weigh up to 100 pounds. You Touch Pix of EuToch/Shutterstock

There are 41 Oahu tree snail species, and all are listed as federally endangered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Oahu tree snails were once so common that they factored into Hawaiian folklore and songs. Anony Shutter/Shutterstock

Although extinct in the wild by 1980, the red wolf was reintroduced to North Carolina seven years later by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Red wolves are identified by the color of the fur behind their ears and along their necks and legs. Joanna Wu/Shutterstock

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