Buzz
The forces of nature and human actions have driven countless species to extinction. Only the most resilient survive, leading to the loss of some of the most remarkable animals. It's unfortunate that we will never encounter these extraordinary beings in person.
10. Koala Lemur Megaladapis Edwarsi
Although they were officially named in 1894, koala lemurs roamed the Earth long before, during the late Pliocene to Holocene era. Initially, scientists thought they might share a lineage with modern lemurs. However, further fossil analysis revealed no connection between the small Lepilemur and the extinct Megaladapis edwarsi, which had a skull as large as a gorilla’s.
The Megaladapis edwarsi reached up to 1.5 meters in length (5 feet) and weighed as much as 75 kilograms (165 pounds), possibly even more. Its arms were longer than its legs, perfectly designed for tree climbing. Too heavy to leap, it likely spent most of its life on the ground. This koala lemur could have moved on all fours, similar to an orangutan.
Humans arrived in Madagascar around 2,000 years ago. Since then, 17 lemur species have gone extinct. Among the most remarkable was the Megaladapis edwarsi, known for its massive size. This made it slow-moving and an easy target for hunters. Radiocarbon dating reveals that these koala lemurs vanished after European settlement, with the last one perishing about 500 years ago.
9. Giant Australian Python Wonambi Naracoortensis
The Wonambi naracoortensis roamed Australia during the Pliocene epoch. The name 'Wonambi' is derived from the Aboriginal term for ‘rainbow serpent.’ This colossal snake lacked the jaw flexibility seen in most modern snakes. While advanced snakes can dislocate their jaws, and lizards have no jaw flexibility at all, the wonambi’s jaw structure places it evolutionarily between lizards and contemporary snakes. The wonambi skull more closely resembles fossils from the Cretaceous period than those of any modern snake.
This giant, non-venomous snake grew to over 4.5 meters (15 feet) in length. With recurved teeth but no fangs, it likely constricted its prey. Extinction is generally estimated to have occurred around 40,000 years ago, although it’s possible some survived until as recently as 7,000 years ago. Its similarities to extinct snakes from South America and Africa suggest a shared ancestor dating back to the era of Pangaea. I highly doubt any of them were considered suitable pets.
8. Great Auk Pinguinus Impennis
The great auk was a charming black-and-white, flightless bird. Often called 'the original penguin,' it reached about 1 meter (3 feet) in height and had small 15-centimeter (6-inch) wings. For centuries, these birds thrived in the waters of the North Atlantic, from areas like Scotland, Norway, Canada, the US, and France, only coming ashore to breed.
In the 1700s, great auks became highly sought after. Though they had been hunted for millennia, the killing reached unsustainable levels during this time. Hunters and collectors coveted their feathers, pelts, meat, oil, and small 13-centimeter (5-inch) eggs. The great auk population dwindled, and their scarcity only increased demand.
On July 3, 1844, Sigurour Isleifsson and two companions visited the last known breeding colony on Iceland's Eldey Island. There, a female great auk was incubating an egg with her mate nearby. Two of the men strangled the birds, while the third crushed the egg under his boot. Hired by a merchant, this destructive trio killed the last known mating pair of great auks. The final living great auk was seen in 1852 at The Grand Banks of Newfoundland, Canada.
7. Schomburgk’s Deer Rucervus Schomburgki
Schomburgk’s deer once thrived in large numbers across Thailand. This species was described and named in 1863 after Sir Robert H. Schomburgk, the British consul to Bangkok at the time. It is believed to have gone extinct in the 1930s, though some claim the deer still exists, despite no scientific evidence supporting this.
The antlers of Schomburgk’s deer were thought to possess magical and healing properties. This belief made the species highly prized by hunters and contributed to its downfall, especially in the traditional medicine trade. During floods, the deer would congregate at elevated areas, making them easy targets for hunters. Additionally, human settlement and agricultural expansion destroyed much of their natural habitat.
The last wild Schomburgk’s deer was killed in 1932, and the final domesticated one died in 1938. Curiously, in 1991, UN agronomist Laurent Chazee took a photograph of a pair of antlers at a traditional medicine shop in Laos. These antlers were later identified as those of Schomburgk’s deer.
6. Jamaican Giant Galliwasp Celestus Occiduus
The last confirmed sighting of the Jamaican giant galliwasp was in 1840. Also known as the sinking galliwasp, it grew to about 60 centimeters (2 feet) long and struck fear into locals. Its extinction is believed to have been caused by the introduction of predators, such as the mongoose, to Jamaica. Habitat destruction by humans likely contributed to its disappearance as well.
Galliwasps feature prominently in local legends. Jamaican folklore suggests that the creature is venomous. According to the tale, after being bitten, the galliwasp and the bitten person will race towards water. The first to reach the water will survive, and the other will die. Although this myth no longer concerns the Jamaican giant galliwasp, as it is believed to have been extinct for over a century, we do know that the creature was a swamp-dwelling lizard that ate fish and fruit. Very few specimens remain today, with bleached and preserved specimens displayed in select museums.
5. Giant Teratorn Argentavis Magnificens
Argentavis magnificens, meaning 'magnificent Argentine bird,' was discovered in Miocene rocks in Argentina, revealing that this giant teratorn roamed South America six million years ago. It holds the record as the largest flying bird ever. Standing over 1.8 meters (6 feet) tall and boasting a wingspan of 6–8 meters (19–26 feet), it could weigh more than 68 kilograms (150 pounds). For comparison, the modern wandering albatross, the bird with the largest wingspan today, measures meters (11.5 feet).
As a member of the Accipitriformes order, which includes hawks and vultures, Argentavis magnificens had chest muscles not suited for constant flapping. Instead, it likely spent most of its time soaring through the sky, either hunting or scavenging for carrion. Its skull structure indicates it swallowed prey whole. The lifespan of this remarkable bird is believed to have ranged from 50 to 100 years.
4. Barbary Lion Panthera Leo Leo
Once roaming the vast lands of North Africa, the regal Barbary lion was known for its solitary or small family group lifestyle, unlike other lions that traveled in larger prides. Also referred to as the Atlas lion, it was a distinctive and striking creature, easily identifiable by its unique head shape and full, long mane. Males boasted a mane that not only framed their face but extended down their chest and stomach as well.
The final wild Barbary lion was killed in Morocco in 1927. However, because the sultan of Morocco kept domesticated Barbary lions, some descendants remain in captivity today. These royal pets were later transferred to zoos across Morocco and Europe for exhibition and breeding. This wasn’t the first time they had been taken from the wild, either. During the Roman Empire, Barbary lions were forced into combat against gladiators. Facing such a beast in battle, one might argue, was far more terrifying than a typical death match.
3. Woolly Rhinoceros Coelodonta Antiquitatis
Imagine a shaggy rhino—that's the woolly rhinoceros for you. Fossils of this remarkable creature, dating back as far as 3.6 million years, have been discovered across Asia, Europe, and North Africa, with the oldest specimens found in Tibet. One of its massive horns was once thought to belong to a prehistoric bird, but wear patterns on the horn suggest that woolly rhinos often rubbed them on the ground, much like modern rhinos. This brushing could have helped clear snow and other obstacles from their path, allowing them to navigate their environment more easily. out of the rhino’s way
Woolly rhinos coexisted with woolly mammoths, particularly in Russia, though neither species ventured across the Bering Strait into North America. These creatures endured for many centuries. Evidence from caves in France shows that woolly rhinos were depicted in artwork over 30,000 years ago. Primitive humans hunted them, and their presence became a popular subject in cave paintings. In 2014, a 13,300-year-old spear made from the horn of a woolly rhino was uncovered in Siberia. It’s believed that this majestic creature became extinct around the end of the most recent ice age, approximately 11,000 years ago.
2. Bluebuck Hippotragus Leucophaeus
The bluebuck, also known as the blaubok or blue antelope, once roamed southern Africa. Its distinctive fur, which appeared blue due to its black and yellow coloring, gave the animal its name, even though it never grew blue fur. Preferring grassy open spaces, bluebucks were fond of grazing and chewing on bark. They were sociable creatures, likely moving in nomadic groups. Before human arrival, they faced threats from African lions, hyenas, and leopards.
The bluebuck’s population started to noticeably dwindle about 2,000 years ago, likely due to the introduction of competing livestock into their habitat. By the 18th century, the species had become quite rare. Various factors—predation, climate change, hunting, disease, and even the presence of animals like sheep—contributed to their demise. The last confirmed bluebuck was shot in 1799. Today, five mounted specimens are preserved in museums across Europe: one each in Austria, France, and Amsterdam, with two in Sweden.
1. Laughing Owl Sceloglaux Albifacies
The Sceloglaux albifacies, also known as the laughing owl, was a species endemic to New Zealand. It became increasingly rare by the mid-1800s and was last officially spotted in 1914. Some unverified reports suggest it may have survived into the 1930s. The laughing owl’s distinctive hoot resembled a creepy cackle or the snicker of a madman, and it has also been compared to a dog’s bark. Other species of laughing owls still exist, and their calls can be heard online.
Laughing owls made their nests along rocky outcrops, at the edges of forests, and in open fields. Some were taken into captivity, where they adapted well, even laying eggs without prompting. In the wild, however, the expansion of human settlements and habitat destruction forced the owls to alter their diet. They shifted from preying on larger birds like ducks and lizards to eating more mammals. This dietary change may have made them more vulnerable to natural predators, contributing to their extinction. Grazing and agricultural fires could have also played a role in their rapid disappearance.
