[NOTE] It seems for every known artist on Deviantart, there are hundreds that are overlooked, many that are exceptionally talented. Some of them will be featured below; please, if you have the time check out their galleries and support them!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hundreds of animals today are facing extinction: their homes are destroyed, they are slaughtered for their body parts or fur, and their food sources are lessening.


One way to help these animals is by letting people know how bad the situation is and try to encourage people to support various groups trying to help out endangered animals. I decided to write a series of articles featuring some wonderful artists and their photographs or drawings of certain animals, some basic information on the condition of said animal in the wild, as well as some groups/clubs in case you want to get involved. Enjoy!

//Status levels (from worst to best)://
Extinct in wild, Critical risk, Endangered, Vulnerable, Lower Risk, Stable


Featured: Lesser Known Endangered Animals of North America

*This week’s feature was tough since many of the animals did not have a lot of images; some of the animals I wanted to feature did not have any.*

------------------------------------------------------

Island Fox

Fast facts: - smallest North American canid
- found on the 6 largest islands of the Channel Islands off the coast of California
- do not typically show aggression toward humans

Status: Critical Risk


------------------------------------------------------

Northern Flying Squirrel

Fast facts: - “fly” using a flap of skin called a patagium, that extends from the wrist of the foreleg to the ankles of the hindleg
- clumsy on ground
- only live up to 4 years in the wild

Status: Least Concern



------------------------------------------------------

Margay

Fast facts: - able to hang from branches using only one back foot
- able to descend head first down a tree since their ankles rotate 180 degrees

Status: Least Concern



------------------------------------------------------

Jaguarundi

Fast facts: - are known as otter cats
- good swimmers
- easily tamed and adapt well to captivity

Status: Least Concern



------------------------------------------------------

Piping Plover

Fast facts: - intruders near its nest are chased and may be pecked or bitten
- gets its name from its piping call

Status: Endangered



------------------------------------------------------

Resplendent Quetzal

Fast facts: - tail can grow up to 3 feet long
- sacred to the Mayan and Aztec people

Status: Vulnerable



------------------------------------------------------

Some Clubs for Wild/Endangered Animals

- Animals and Nature Club

- Animal Planet Club

- Help the Animals Club

- Wildlife Warriors

------------------------------------------------------

Hope you enjoyed this article. Please leave a comment or if you really enjoyed it a +fav! Thanks!


Here are some of my shots of lesser known animals (not necessarily from N. America):
- Pygmy hippopotamus ( Endangered )
- Visayan warty pigs ( Critical Risk )
- Cape clawless otter ( Vulnerable )

------------------------------------------------------

My other articles to date:

Wild Cats .::. Wild Canids

Also, please check out my journal entry on the horrors of game farms (farms that raise wild animals for photographic/filming purposes)- [HERE]