Extinct Animals
An Encyclopedia of Species that Have Disappeared during Human History
- 232 pages
- English
- PDF
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
Everyone is familiar with the dodo and the wooly mammoth, but how many people have heard of the scimitar cat and the Falkland Island fox? Extinct Animals portrays over 60 remarkable animals that have been lost forever during the relatively recent geological past. Each entry provides a concise discussion of the history of the animalâhow and where it lived, and how it became extinctâas well as the scientific discovery and analysis of the creature. In addition, this work examines what led to extinctionâfrom the role of cyclical swings in the Earth's climate to the spread of humans and their activities. Many scientists believe that we are in the middle of a mass extinction right now, caused by the human undermining of the earth's complex systems that support life. Understanding what caused the extinction of animals in the past may help us understand and prevent the extinction of species in the future. Extinct Animals examines the biology and history of some of the most interesting creatures that have ever lived, including: The American Terror Bird, which probably became extinct over 1 million years ago, who were massive predators, some of which were almost 10 feet tall; the Rocky Mountain Locust, last seen in 1902, formed the most immense animal aggregations ever known, with swarms estimated to include over 10 trillion insects; the Giant Ground Sloth, which was as large as an elephant; and the Neandertals, the first Europeans, which co-existed with prehistoric Homo sapiens. Extinct Animals includes illustrationsâmany created for the workâthat help the reader visualize the extinct creature, and each entry concludes with a list of resources for those who wish to do further research.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- 1 Fewer Than 100 Years Ago
- 2 Fewer Than 200 Years Ago
- 3 Fewer Than 500 Years Ago
- 4 Fewer Than 10,000 Years Ago
- 5 10,000â12,500 Years Ago
- 6 More Than 12,500 Years Ago
- 7 More Than 50,000 Years Ago
- Glossary
- Selected Bibliography
- Selected Museums in the United States, Canada, and Worldwide
- Index