Where Are They Now? Extinct Animals That Once Walked the Earth

Our planet has been home to an incredible diversity of life throughout its history. However, many species have become extinct over time, due to a variety of factors including climate change, habitat loss, and human activity. In this article, we will take a journey through time to discover some of the most fascinating extinct animals that once walked the Earth.

Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs are perhaps the most iconic extinct animals. These massive reptiles ruled the Earth for over 150 million years, and they came in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Some of the most famous dinosaurs include the Tyrannosaurus rex, the Stegosaurus, and the Triceratops.

Where Are They Now? | Extinct Animals That Once Walked the Earth | Scientific Explorer Third Grade | Children's Zoology Books

by Baby Professor

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Language	:	English
File size	:	45681 KB
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Dinosaurs became extinct about 65 million years ago, likely due to a combination of factors including a comet or asteroid impact and increased volcanic activity. However, their legacy lives on in birds, which are the direct descendants of theropod dinosaurs.

Dodo

The dodo was a large, flightless bird that was native to the island of Mauritius. It was a member of the pigeon and dove family, and it was one of the first animals to become extinct due to human activity.

Dodos were hunted by sailors and settlers, and they were also introduced to predators such as rats and cats. As a result, the dodo became extinct by the late 17th century.

Saber-toothed Tiger

The saber-toothed tiger was a large, powerful predator that lived in North America, South America, and Eurasia during the Ice Age. It was characterized by its long, curved fangs, which it used to kill its prey.

Saber-toothed tigers became extinct about 10,000 years ago, likely due to a combination of climate change and competition from humans.

Woolly Mammoth

The woolly mammoth was a large, hairy elephant that lived in North America, Europe, and Asia during the Ice Age. It was well-adapted to cold climates, and it had a thick coat of fur to protect it from the cold.

Woolly mammoths became extinct about 10,000 years ago, likely due to a combination of climate change and hunting by humans.

Giant Ground Sloth

The giant ground sloth was a large, herbivorous mammal that lived in North and South America during the Ice Age. It was one of the largest land mammals ever to exist, and it could weigh up to 10 tons.

Giant ground sloths became extinct about 10,000 years ago, likely due to a combination of climate change and hunting by humans.

Passenger Pigeon

The passenger pigeon was a small, migratory bird that was once one of the most abundant birds in North America. It was estimated that there were once billions of passenger pigeons, and they would often darken the sky when they migrated.

Passenger pigeons became extinct in the early 20th century, due to a combination of hunting and habitat loss. The last known passenger pigeon died in captivity in 1914.

Great Auk

The great auk was a large, flightless bird that lived in the North Atlantic Ocean. It was similar in appearance to a penguin, and it could swim and dive very well.

Great auks were hunted by sailors and settlers for their meat and feathers, and they became extinct in the mid-19th century.

Thylacine

The thylacine was a carnivorous marsupial that was native to Australia. It was also known as the Tasmanian tiger, due to its tiger-like stripes. The thylacine was the largest carnivorous marsupial ever to exist.

Thylacines were hunted by settlers, and they also suffered from habitat loss. The last known thylacine died in captivity in 1936.

Baiji

The baiji was a small, white dolphin that was native to the Yangtze River in China. It was one of the most endangered animals in the world, and it was declared functionally extinct in 2006.

Baijis were killed by overfishing, pollution, and habitat loss. The last known baiji was seen in 2002.

The extinction of these and other animals is a reminder of the fragility of life on Earth. As we continue to develop and expand, we must be mindful of the impact that we are having on the environment and the animals that live in it. By learning about the animals that have become extinct, we can better appreciate the importance of conservation and protect the species that are still with us today.

Where Are They Now? | Extinct Animals That Once Walked the Earth | Scientific Explorer Third Grade | Children's Zoology Books

by Baby Professor

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	45681 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	72 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE