Middle School
Worksheets
The Loss of Domestic Animals and Plants: A World Problem
Caption: The Royal Palm Turkey, once common on New England farms, is now critically endangered because other varieties of turkeys grow larger and produce more meat.
You've probably heard about animals that have become extinct. Certainly, you've grown up hearing about dinosaurs. Perhaps you've worried about what may happen to polar bears. Have you heard anyone discussing vanishing farm animals? Deanna hadn't until she read about the issue in her biology textbook. That's probably something you haven't heard too much about either, but it's becoming a major concern in the scientific realm.
In the course of the last one hundred years, one thousand breeds of domestic animals have become extinct, lost forever from the Earth. Many more are at risk of extinction.
What classifies an animal as a domestic animal? A domestic animal is one that is cared for by humans. It is dependent on humans for food and shelter. It does not live on its own in the wild. Deanna could name many of the categories just by thinking of farm animals. These animals include cows, pigs, rabbits, goats, and so on.
