Question 1

What does 'extinct' mean?

Accepted Answer

Extinct means that there are no more living members of a certain type of animal. They are gone forever, and we can't see them alive anymore.

Question 2

How do animals become extinct?

Accepted Answer

Animals can become extinct when their environment changes or when they're hunted too much. Lack of food or disease can also cause extinction.

Question 3

What is an example of an extinct animal?

Accepted Answer

One famous extinct animal is the dodo bird. It couldn't fly and lived on an island, and it became extinct because of hunting and new predators.

Question 4

Why is the dodo bird famous?

Accepted Answer

The dodo bird is famous because it went extinct not too long ago, and it reminds us how quickly animals can disappear. It was a large bird that couldn't fly.

Question 5

What are dinosaurs?

Accepted Answer

Dinosaurs were giant reptiles that lived a very long time ago, long before humans. They are one of the most well-known groups of extinct animals.

Question 6

How did dinosaurs go extinct?

Accepted Answer

Most scientists believe a giant asteroid hit Earth, causing big changes in the climate. This made it hard for dinosaurs to survive, leading to their extinction.

Question 7

What is a woolly mammoth?

Accepted Answer

A woolly mammoth was a large, hairy elephant-like animal that lived in cold places. It had long tusks and is now extinct.

Question 8

Why are fossils important?

Accepted Answer

Fossils are important because they are like nature's old photo album. They show us what extinct animals looked like and how they lived.

Question 9

Can we bring extinct animals back to life?

Accepted Answer

Scientists are working on this, but it's very hard to do. Right now, extinct animals can't be brought back to life like in the movies.

Question 10

What is the Tasmanian tiger?

Accepted Answer

The Tasmanian tiger, also called thylacine, looked like a dog with stripes. It lived in Australia and Tasmania and went extinct over 80 years ago.

Question 11

What is the passenger pigeon?

Accepted Answer

Passenger pigeons were once very common birds in North America, but they became extinct because people hunted them a lot.

Question 12

What is extinction caused by humans called?

Accepted Answer

When human activities cause animals to go extinct, it's called human-driven extinction. This can happen from hunting, destroying habitats, or pollution.

Question 13

What is a saber-toothed tiger?

Accepted Answer

The saber-toothed tiger was a big cat with long, sharp teeth. It's extinct now but once lived in many places around the world.

Question 14

What are some reasons animals go extinct today?

Accepted Answer

Today, animals can go extinct because their homes are destroyed, pollution harms them, or they can't find enough food to eat.

Question 15

How can we help animals not go extinct?

Accepted Answer

We can help by protecting their habitats, reducing pollution, and making sure not to hunt animals too much. Every small action can make a difference.

Question 16

What was the Great Auk?

Accepted Answer

The Great Auk was a flightless bird that lived in the North Atlantic. It became extinct due to hunting for its feathers, eggs, and meat.

Question 17

What are some animals that went extinct recently?

Accepted Answer

Some recently extinct animals are the Spix's Macaw and the Western Black Rhinoceros. These animals went extinct in the last few decades.

Question 18

Why do scientists study extinct animals?

Accepted Answer

Scientists study extinct animals to learn about how they lived and why they disappeared. This helps us understand Earth’s history and protect animals today.

Question 19

Are there any extinct animals in museums?

Accepted Answer

Yes, museums often have fossils or models of extinct animals. This lets us see what they looked like and learn more about them.

Question 20

What is a fossil?

Accepted Answer

A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of a long-dead animal or plant. They are like a footprint in stone telling us stories from the past.

The Fascinating World of Extinct Animals - 20 FAQs Explained Simply