Endangered Animals in the UK

By Maddie and Sophie

Small tortoiseshell butterfly

British butterflies have been in decline in recent years in general, but a species that has particularly suffered if the pretty Small Tortoiseshell.

Turtle Dove

According to the latest analysis, this legendary bird has only eight years left till extinction. That's far too short a time to appreciated its breathtaking beauty.

Wart-biter Cricket

The Wart-biter is a large bush-cricket, adult’s measure between 31 and 37mm and the ovipositor of the females can measure up to 21mm.

Natterjack Toad

The natterjack toad, one of the most endangered of our amphibian species, could be a climate change winner. The Natterjack toad is a toad native to sandy and heathland areas of Europe. Adults are 60–70 mm in length and are distinguished from common toads by a yellow line down the middle of the back, and parallel paratoid glands. They have relatively short legs, and this gives them a distinctive gait, contrasting with the hopping movement of many other toad species.

Hedgehog

It is a sadly familiar sight on roads throughout the country, a hedgehog who wasn't able to move fast enough to escape the traffic.

But perhaps it will be a less familiar sight in the future because the creatures are now on a list of Britain's 10 most endangered animals.

Red Squirrel

If nothing is done it is predicted that red squirrels could become extinct on mainland Scotland within 50 years. Red squirrels are still common in Europe and are not classed as an endangered species at a worldwide level.

Great Yellow Bumblebee

Bees are extremely important for pollinating commercial crops and they account for 85% of the value of all insect pollinated crop plants in Europe. We need to do something to stop its decline.