Threatened and Endangered Wildlife Species AGR 381 Unit H-1 William Hanel

OBJECTIVES Differentiate between the terms “extinct”, “endangered”, and “threatened”; Understand why species become threatened and what laws exist to help prevent their extinction; Describe methods used to manage threatened and endangered species; and Identify threatened and endangered species in Texas.

THREATENED: any animal or plant that is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future

ENDANGERED : any animal or plant listed by regulation as being in danger of extinction

EXTINCT: An animal which no longer exists

Why do species become threatened? Large body size Specialized diet Special habitat requirements Small population Limited geographic distribution Economic or commercial value Low reproductive output

How to prevent or help.. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 requires development and implementation of recovery plans for the conservation and survival of threatened and endangered species.

CONSERVATION STRATEGIES Protect and preserve habitats Land to protect is purchased by governments –Nature reserves –National parks –State parks –Designated wilderness areas

CONSERVATION STRATEGIES Captive breeding State regulations on hunting and fishing

THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES OF TEXAS

Bald Eagle Texas Status –Threatened U.S. Status –Threatened

Texas Kangaroo Rat- Threatened

Texas Horned Lizard Texas Status Threatened

Jaguarundi Texas Status –Threatened

Loggerhead Sea Turtle Texas: Threatened

Houston Toad Endangered

Texas Blind Salamander Endangered

OBJECTIVES Differentiate between the terms “extinct”, “endangered”, and “threatened”; Understand why species become threatened and what laws exist to help prevent their extinction; Describe methods used to manage threatened and endangered species; and Identify threatened and endangered species in Texas.