Seven Surprising Animals That Were Thought to Be Extinct

🐟The coelacanth, a fish species believed to have gone extinct with the dinosaurs, was rediscovered in 1938.

🐀The Laotian rock rat, a rodent species previously considered extinct, was found in Laotian meat markets in the late 1990s.

🐚Monoplacophorans, a type of mollusk thought to have disappeared 400 million years ago, were rediscovered in 1952.

🧽The Neptune's cup sponge, a large sponge species believed to be extinct since 1907, was rediscovered in 2011.

🐸The Mallorcan midwife toad, a small amphibian species thought to have been extinct for thousands of years, was rediscovered in 1980.

How were these animals rediscovered?

—These animals were often found through chance encounters, such as being caught by fishermen or spotted in meat markets.

What were the main factors contributing to their near-extinction?

—Factors such as habitat loss, invasive species, and human activities, including hunting and deforestation, played significant roles in their decline.

How have conservation efforts impacted these species?

—Conservation efforts, including breeding programs and habitat protection, have helped increase the populations of some of these species. However, they remain endangered or vulnerable.

What can we learn from these rediscoveries?

—The rediscovery of these animals highlights the importance of biodiversity conservation and the need for continuous monitoring and protection of endangered species.

Are there other species that might still be undiscovered or thought to be extinct?

—Yes, there are many species that have not yet been discovered or may still exist despite being declared extinct. Further exploration and research are needed to uncover their existence.

00:10Throughout history, many species have been declared extinct.

00:37The coelacanth, a fish species believed to have gone extinct with the dinosaurs, was rediscovered in 1938.

02:31The Laotian rock rat, a rodent species previously considered extinct, was found in Laotian meat markets in the late 1990s.

03:52Monoplacophorans, a type of mollusk thought to have disappeared 400 million years ago, were rediscovered in 1952.

05:15The Neptune's cup sponge, a large sponge species believed to be extinct since 1907, was rediscovered in 2011.

06:30The Mallorcan midwife toad, a small amphibian species thought to have been extinct for thousands of years, was rediscovered in 1980.

07:31The Lord Howe Island stick insect, once declared extinct, was rediscovered on a volcanic outcrop in 2001.

09:28The Ecuadorian horned anole, also known as the Pinocchio lizard, was rediscovered in the 2000s after being thought extinct since the 1950s.