The Amami rabbit is a Japanese national treasure but even so this elusive rabbit is mostly unknown even to the population of Japan. Reason for the Amami rabbit not being very well known could be down to the fact that it can only be found on two islands in southern Japan, Amami and Tokuno islands.
The Monito del monte or otherwise known as the ‘mountain monkey’ is actually not a monkey at all but rather a small, mouse sized marsupial. This unique marsupial is widely regarded as a ‘living fossil’ be scientists as it is the last of an evolutionarily extinct family line. Sadly for these unique marsupials their population
The Volcano rabbit is one of the smallest species of rabbit in the world and is believed to be one of the most primitive rabbit species in the world. The Volcano rabbit’s name is derived from its unique environment as they are only found around four prominent volcanoes in Mexico, the Volcano rabbit is not
The Greater big-footed mouse is another species only found on the island of Madagascar that is coming under great threat. With the combination of fire during the dry season, cattle being pushed into its habitat and habitat loss mostly due to the human expansion the population of Greater big-footed mouse is declining. Currently classed as
The Hirola species of antelope is currently classed as critically endangered and has seen a gigantic drop in population over the last 30 years declining from around 14,000 to current figures of just over 600. The reason for the massive decline in population is a combination of habit loss, poaching and even natural drought. Once
The Indri is native to the eastern forests of Madagascar and is the largest species of Lemur on the whole island. The local natives believe the Indri to be an ancestor of man and as such the species is protected to a certain degree with locals banning hunting and human consumption. Unfortunately even with this
Baird’s tapir makes its home in Central and South America and is actually the largest indigenous mammal in Central America. This unique mammal shares common ancestors with horses and rhinos but resembles the ancestors more than today’s hippos and horses. Baird’s tapir is currently classed as endangered due to threat from hunters and habitat loss,
The marsupial moles are small marsupials found in western Australia. Despite the name the marsupial moles are actually not moles at all and are much more closely related to other marsupial species that are native to Australia. The term mole refers to the marsupial moles life of which is spends the vast majority underground and
The Golden-crowned sifaka is one of the most rare lemurs on the island of Madagascar and is the smallest out of the three sifaka species. Exclusive to Madagascar like all lemurs, the Golden-crowned sifaka is estimated to have a population of around 6 – 10,000 and are restricted to a handful of broken and isolated
This small marsupial is found only in three isolated areas of south east Australia and there is only believed to be around 200 alive today, leading to the Mountain pygmy possum being classed as endangered. The Mountain pygmy possum was unknown until 1966 when a fossil of the species was discovered, the three areas where
The Mediterranean monk seal’s are the most critically endangered of all sea mammals are a re believed to number as low as 400 – 500 individuals and still declining. The Monk seals are under threat in a variety of different which all stem back to human presence. Although the Monk seals have been hunted throughout
Anderson’s mouse opossum is a small marsupial that is thought o live exclusively in the forest areas of the Andes in Southern Peru. This species is very rare and until 1998 was only known by 1 specimen that was found over 50 years ago. In 1998 6 more specimens were uncovered in the Andes but
The Seychelles sheath-tailed bat is native to the Seychelles islands and can only be found in two isolated locations. The population of the Seychelles sheath-tailed bat’s is steadily declining due to loss of habitat and human expansion as a great number of caverns the bats used to roost are within human development sites, there is
The Greater bamboo lemur s found exclusively on the island of Madagascar and can be immediately recognized by its prominent white ears. The Greater bamboo lemur was actually believed to have been extinct up until 1972 when a small isolated population was discovered. Like many other lemurs the Greater bamboo lemur is currently listed as
The Slender Loris is a small primate that is found in Sri Lanka. Currently listed as endangered the Slender Loris is losing its habitat due to human expanse and agriculture which is causing the Slender Loris population to plummet. The Slender Loris which gets is name from its long slender limbs is found predominantly in
