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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Endangered Means
There Is Still Time
Extinction


 

 

Can you guess how many species have gone extinct in North America since the Pilgrims landed in 1620?

Scientists estimate that the natural extinction rate is approximately one species lost in every 100 years. Yet, more than 500 species in North America have disappeared in less than 400 years.

Montage: Purple strife, Crab and ZEBRAmussel

Extinction is a natural process, but the current extinction rate is not. Continue>>