Recently Extinct Animals

A subspecies of the black rhinoceros found all over the continent of Africa, the West African black rhinoceros was believed by many to be genetically different from other black rhinos.

Having evolved approximately 2 million years ago into the form we are most familiar with, the Tasmanian tiger was at one point one of the largest carnivorous marsupials in the world. The name Tasmanian tiger, given due to the species’ distinctly striped lower back, is only one of many names that this animal has been given over the years.

The dodo, which existed only on a small island called Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, was a flightless bird whose name went on to practically be synonymous with the concept of species extinction.

Also known as the West India seal and sea wolf, the Caribbean monk seal was native to the island nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis until its extinction.

A species of the giant Galapagos tortoises, the Pinta Island variety made its home in Ecuador. This giant tortoise, like many species that it shares a kinship with, was an herbivore sustaining itself mainly on grass, cacti, and low-hanging fruit.