Extinct animals from USA

Extinct animals are those species that have died out and are no longer found in the wild or in captivity. In the United States, there have been a number of species of animals that have become extinct over the years, including several species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

The loss of these animals is a significant blow to the biodiversity of the United States, and it serves as a reminder of the need to protect and conserve the remaining species that call this country home.

One of the most well-known extinct animals from the United States is the passenger pigeon. This species of pigeon was once abundant throughout much of the eastern United States, with flocks numbering in the millions. They were an important food source for many indigenous communities, and were also hunted for sport. However, due to overhunting and habitat loss, the passenger pigeon became extinct in the early 20th century.

The passenger pigeon was a highly social species, with flocks often numbering in the hundreds of thousands or even millions of individuals. They nested in large colonies, with each pair of pigeons raising just one brood per year. The pigeons would migrate in large flocks, following the availability of food sources such as acorns, beechnuts, and other mast.

The decline of the passenger pigeon began in the 19th century, as the United States expanded westward and more and more of the pigeon's habitat was lost to agriculture and development. Overhunting also played a significant role in the decline of the species, as pigeon meat was considered a delicacy and the birds were hunted in large numbers. Despite efforts to protect the species, including the creation of protected areas and the implementation of hunting regulations, the passenger pigeon became extinct in 1914, with the last known individual, a female named Martha, dying at the Cincinnati Zoo.

The loss of the passenger pigeon has had a significant impact on the ecosystems in which it once thrived. The pigeons played a vital role in seed dispersal, and their absence has likely contributed to the decline of certain tree species. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of overhunting and habitat loss, and the importance of protecting and conserving our natural resources.

Another extinct animal from the United States is the Carolina parakeet. This species of parrot was native to the southeastern United States, and was once found in large numbers in states such as Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. The Carolina parakeet was a brightly colored bird, with a green body, yellow head, and orange face. It was a social species, living in flocks and nesting in cavities in trees.

Like the passenger pigeon, the Carolina parakeet was heavily hunted for its colorful feathers, which were used in the millinery trade. The birds were also killed for their meat and for crop protection. As a result, their population declined rapidly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The last Carolina parakeet died in captivity in 1918.

The extinction of the Carolina parakeet had a number of consequences for the ecosystems in which it lived. The parakeets played a role in seed dispersal and fruit consumption, and their absence may have contributed to the decline of certain plant species. It also represents a loss of biodiversity and cultural significance for the indigenous communities that relied on the parakeets as a food source.

Other extinct animals from the United States include the heath hen, a subspecies of the prairie chicken that was found on the East Coast; the Eskimo curlew, a migratory bird that bred in the Arctic and wintered in South America; and the Eastern elk, a subspecies of elk that was once found throughout the eastern United States