What is an Extinct Species?

S5-SA2-0281

Grade Level:

Class 6

Law, Civic Literacy, Economics, FinTech, Geopolitics, Personal Finance, Indian Governance

Definition

What is it?

An extinct species is a type of animal or plant that no longer exists anywhere on Earth. Once a species becomes extinct, it is gone forever and cannot be brought back.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine your favourite snack, like a specific brand of biscuits, was stopped by the company and can no longer be found in any shop, anywhere in India. That snack would be 'extinct' from the market. Similarly, an extinct animal means there are no living members of that kind left.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's say we are tracking the population of a rare bird called the 'Golden Parrot'.

Step 1: In 1950, there were about 1000 Golden Parrots living in a forest.
---Step 2: Due to deforestation, their numbers started to drop rapidly. By 1980, only 50 Golden Parrots were left.
---Step 3: Despite efforts to protect them, by 2000, only 5 Golden Parrots were sighted.
---Step 4: From 2005 onwards, no Golden Parrot has been seen or heard anywhere, even after extensive searches.
---Step 5: After many years of no sightings, scientists declare the Golden Parrot an extinct species.

Answer: The Golden Parrot is now an extinct species because no living members have been found for a long time.

Why It Matters

Understanding extinct species helps us protect the animals and plants we still have. This knowledge is crucial for environmentalists, policymakers, and even economists who assess the value of natural resources. It can inspire careers in wildlife conservation, environmental law, and sustainable development.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Thinking an extinct species might still be found somewhere secret. | CORRECTION: Extinction means a species is gone completely from the entire planet, not just from one area.

MISTAKE: Confusing 'extinct' with 'endangered'. | CORRECTION: 'Endangered' means a species is at high risk of becoming extinct, but still has living members. 'Extinct' means there are no living members left.

MISTAKE: Believing extinction only happens to dinosaurs. | CORRECTION: Extinction is an ongoing process, and many plant and animal species have become extinct much more recently than dinosaurs.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: The Dodo bird was last seen in 1662 and no living Dodos have been found since. Is the Dodo an endangered species or an extinct species? | ANSWER: Extinct species

QUESTION: A species of tiger has only 200 members left in the wild and their habitat is shrinking. Is this species extinct? Why or why not? | ANSWER: No, it is not extinct. It is an endangered species because there are still living members, even if their numbers are very low.

QUESTION: Imagine a special kind of flower, 'Nilgiri Lily', grew only on one mountain. If a landslide wiped out that entire mountain and all the flowers, what would you call the status of the Nilgiri Lily? Explain your answer. | ANSWER: The Nilgiri Lily would be an extinct species. This is because all its members were destroyed and no living flowers of that kind are left anywhere.

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which of these best describes an extinct species?

A species that lives only in zoos

A species that is very rare and hard to find

A species that no longer has any living members on Earth

A species that has migrated to another continent

The Correct Answer Is:

Option C correctly defines an extinct species as one with no living members left anywhere. Options A, B, and D describe species that still exist, even if their numbers are low or their location has changed.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

In India, understanding extinction helps us appreciate efforts like 'Project Tiger' by the government, which aims to protect our national animal from becoming extinct. Wildlife conservationists and forest officers use this knowledge daily to create national parks and sanctuaries, ensuring species like the Asiatic Lion and Indian Rhinoceros do not face the same fate as the Dodo.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

EXTINCT: No longer existing anywhere on Earth | ENDANGERED: At high risk of becoming extinct | HABITAT: The natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism | CONSERVATION: The protection of animals, plants, and natural resources | BIODIVERSITY: The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Now that you know what an extinct species is, you can learn about 'Causes of Extinction'. This will help you understand why species disappear and how we can prevent more extinctions in the future. Keep exploring!