Extinct Animals in the Arctic
There are about between 10,000 all the way to 100,000 animals extinct all over the world. Animals in the Arctic are lowering in numbers due to global warming and climate change and hunting. These problems in the arctic have a big part in the lives of the animals. Problems such as these are causing a dent in the repopulation.
Climate change affects nearly 17 species including, the arctic fox, polar bear, walrus, seals, whales, birds, and butterflies. Ecosystems are disappearing or being torn apart due to climate change. Climate change is increasing air, and temperatures causing ice to melt and the water is getting warmer. Species such as whales are going in danger because of offshore oil drilling. These areas have become ice free which has heightened threats from oil spills, ship strikes and noise. Climate change can also increase risk of diseases, carry pollution, and increase human activity.
Sea Mink: Sea Minks went extinct in the 1860’s from to hunting from their fur. They were hunted so fast scientists no longer have information about their behavior. Men were aggressive and very territorial. If trespassing would occur then violent actions would take place on the animals. The sea minks are carnivores so it was very easy for them to get food.
Great Auk: Great Auks went extinct around 1844 due to excessive hunting. They were hunted for their meat by fisherman because they could not fly and had a lot of meat on them so they were an easy prey. They were also hunted for their feathers for the clothing industry. Great Auks diet mainly consisted of other fish, insects, and plankton.
Woolly Rhino: Woolly Rhinos fossils are common and have been found all throughout Europe and Asia. Remains have been discovered frozen in ice and buried in soils. A combination of oils and salt have helped it from decomposing. Their entire body contained a very thick heavy coat of fur. Woolly Rhinos have become extinct due to climate change and receding ice age in the last glacial period.
Woolly Mammoth: Woolly Mammoths were wiped out in the last ice age due to humans hunting them. Similar to the Woolly Rhinos, the mammoths have a thick coat of fur as well. Woolly Mammoths died about 10,000 years ago and some are preserved. These mammoths eat mainly plants. Woolly Mammoths have asymmetrical tusks that are around 10- 15 feet.
Eskimo Curlew: In the late 1800’s there were about 2 million Eskimo Curlew killed. They have a camouflaged nest that is hollowed into the ground with leaves or straw. They can nest about 3–4 eggs in their nest. They usually turn brown then into a greenish blue color. They are slowly fading due to excessive hunting.
