Welcome to Our World Wildlife Day Election!
Earth is home to a huge variety of living things! There are over 8 million types of plants and animals on our planet, and each one unique and important. But unfortunately, many of them are in danger of disappearing forever. These species are endangered, which means there are very few left in the wild. World Wildlife Day is a chance to learn about these endangered species and find ways to protect them.
Your vote will help the MiaPrep community choose the top Conservation Mascot to celebrate World Wildlife Day.
Remember, you only get one vote, so choose carefully!
Fun Animal Facts
Hawksbill Turtle 🐢
Named for its sharp, hooked beak, the hawksbill turtle lives in tropical coral reefs and mainly eats sponges, jellyfish, and sea anemones. In doing so, it helps maintain the health of the coral reefs it calls home. But when it’s time to lay its nests, the female turtle leaves home to travel hundreds of miles back to the beach where it hatched as a baby. Due to illegal hunting for its shell and ocean pollution, this species is critically endangered.
Monarch Butterfly 🦋
The colorful orange and black monarch butterfly migrates thousands of miles every year between North and Central America in one of nature’s great migrations. Before it can fly, though, it starts its life as a small caterpillar that munches on milkweed. The milkweed serves as food and protection, as this plant contains chemicals that make the monarch caterpillar toxic to predators like birds! Due to habitat loss and climate change, its population is rapidly declining.
Amazon River Dolphin
The Amazon river dolphin, or pink river dolphin, lives in the freshwater rivers of the Amazon rainforest. With a flexible neck that can move 180 degrees, it navigates through flooded forests in search of fish and crustaceans for food. But the Amazon river is dark and murky, so it doesn’t use eyesight – this nearly blind animal finds its food using sound waves in a process called echolocation. Due to pollution, dam construction, and illegal fishing, its population is decreasing.
Australian Numbat 🐾
The numbat lives in the woodlands of western Australia. Like a kangaroo, the numbat is a marsupial, which means it carries its young in a pouch. Though sometimes called banded anteaters, this small specialist only eats termites, consuming thousands each day. In fact, a numbat eats so many termites in a day that it doesn’t even need to drink water- it gets enough water from the termites! With its long tongue and striped fur, it is an expert at sniffing out its food. Due to habitat destruction and predators like foxes and cats, this small marsupial is endangered.
Western Lowland Gorilla 🦍
The western lowland gorilla lives in the dense rainforests of Central Africa and mainly eats fruit, leaves, and small insects. With its strong arms, it moves through the forest by knuckle-walking and climbing trees. Though usually quiet and peaceful creatures, these intelligent animals can communicate with over 20 different sounds including screams, barks, and roars that each have their own meaning! Due to poaching, disease, and deforestation, its population continues to shrink, despite conservation efforts.
Rusty Patched Bumblebee 🐝
The rusty patched bumblebee lives in grasslands and prairies across North America and mainly feeds on nectar and pollen from wildflowers. With its fuzzy yellow-and-black body, it plays a key role in spreading pollen from flower to flower. But don’t expect to see this bee on a rainy day! These creatures prefer to fly on sunny, low wind days, avoiding the skies if it’s rainy or foggy. Due to habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change, its numbers have dropped by over 90%, making it the first bee in the U.S. to be listed as endangered.
Sea Otter 🦦
The sea otter lives along coastal waters in the northern Pacific and mainly eats shellfish, crabs, and sea urchins. This clever creature is one of the few animals known to use tools, grabbing rocks to crack open food. With its thick fur, it stays warm in icy waters. It can even hold its breath for up to 4 minutes as it dives and plays with other otters. In fact, these highly social animals have even been known to hold hands while sleeping! Due to hunting and oil spills, its population has declined, but conservation efforts have helped some populations recover.
Amur Leopard 🐆
The Amur leopard lives in the forests of eastern Russia and northern China and mainly eats deer and hares. With its thick, spotted fur, it blends into snowy landscapes while hunting. This leopard is super quick and agile. It can run 37 miles per hour and jump 10 feet vertically – that’s more than DOUBLE the height of a star NBA player’s jump! Due to habitat loss and poaching, this species is critically endangered, with fewer than 100 left in the wild.
Javan Rhino 🦏
Though the Javan rhino has tough, armor-like skin and a single horn on its head, it is a shy and solitary animal. Like other rhinos, it mainly eats leaves, shoots, and fruits. This species was once found in dense tropical forests throughout Asia, but due to habitat destruction and poaching, it can only be found in one national park in Indonesia. Fewer than 80 remain, making it the rarest rhino species in the world.
Axolotl 💗
The axolotl lives in the freshwater lakes of Mexico and mainly eats small fish, worms, and insects. This cute salamander stays “forever young,” remaining in its juvenile form for life. With its feathery gills and upturned mouth, it even looks like it’s smiling! Like something out of a sci-fi story, the axolotl has the unique ability to perfectly regrow limbs. Due to habitat destruction and water pollution, wild axolotls are now extremely rare.