21F3CM5
September 1991
ENDANGERED SPECIES
COLORING BOOK
V»E;PA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agencv
Pesticide Programs (H7506C)
Washington, DC 20460
Endangered Species
Protection Program
Printed on ftecyctecf Paper
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EPAfs Endangered Protection. Program
coloring book is published by the U-& Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Of ice
of Programs (GPP). OPP*s Endangered Species Protection Program is dedicated to
threatened and endangered species from potentially harmful exposure to pesticides
at the same time maintaining viable agricultural production in Che United States,
The plants and animals depicted here we not necessarily threatened by pesticides; however, they
are representative of the many different species our program is protecting. The Endangered Specie*
Protection Program will place use limitations on pesticides that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
determines m®$ jeopardize endangered or threatened species. The label* on these pesticides will
instruct the user to follow instructions in a County Bulletin, which will explain where the threatened
or endangered lives, list pesticides that may harm die and explain how uuhviduato
can use the product in a way that wifl not the Until the program formally begins, EPA
is providing information in the form of Interim Pamphlets,
In to the EPA Is 2 of on
in the to the in
and
EEA wishet to the US. Itepartmeat of Agriculture, the US, Fish md WMifc Senrfce, and the US.
Fish and Widlife tefereace Service for fecir help In developing OPFs Endangered Protection
Program and In developing and reviewing Ms publication.
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Introduction
What Are Endangered
and Threatened Species?
A century ago, a the pig-
eon lived in North America. There were so
often saw great
flocks of them flying overhead containing thou-
sands, even millions, of birds. Today, there is not a
single one left What happened?
The passenger pigeon became extinct All liv-
ing from the earth
entirely. The pigeon for
two reasons, First, the It
cut down to make way for forms and cities.
Second, many pigeons were shot for sport and
because they were good to eat At that time, there
were no hunting laws to protect endangered
species like there are now.
The pigeon is of the
and animals once on our
and have become extinct For example, dinosaurs,
mammoths, and saber-toothed tigers all became
extinct long ago. More recently, the dodo bird and
the sea mink also have disappeared. Extinction
has been going on since life began on earth, But
today, extinction is ever
before,
There are more 600 or threat-
ened species in the United Sates today.
Endangered species are those plants and ani-
mals that are so rare they are in danger of becom-
ing extinct Threatened species are plants and
animals whose; numbers are very low or decreas-
ing Threatened ane not
--"*~c
1
1'ft- -i
gered yet, but are likely to become endangered in
the fuhire.
How Does Extinction Happen?
of changes to the
that are either by nature or by the
of people. Sometime* a terrible natural
event, like a volcano erupting, can MB an entire
species. Other times, extinction will happen slowly
as nature changes our world. For example, after
the Ice Ages, when the great and
the earth warmer, many
they could not live in t warmer climate,
Hewer that could survive a wanner envi-
ronment took their places,
People can also cause the extinction of plants
and animals. The main reason that many species
are endan-
gered or
threatened «?-- >-
today is -
because peo-
ple have
changed the
homes or
habitats upon
which
A not only the
and in an but ail of the
things needed for the species' survival—from sun-
light and wind to food and shelter. The United
States has many habitats, from ocean beaches to
mountain tops. Every requires a certain
habitat in order to live A cactus, for
the dry in
order to grow. A polar bear, on
the other hand, would not live in
a desert, because it could not
find enough food and water,
i1"*' ^ '"' Pollution can also affect
wildlife and contribute to exfinc-
* ". tiott. The crayfish is
- " the
,, -_ creek where it lives has 'been pol-
luted by people living nearby,
,^-j , Pesticides and other chemicals
, - ~\<"'' // / can poison plants and animals if
; "f • , I •
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,4
they are not used correctly.
'Die bald eagle is one bird that
was harmed by pesticides. In
the past, a pesticide called
DDT was used by many farm- ,
ers. Rains washed the pesticide (
into the lakes and streams '
where it poisoned fish. After
eating the poisoned fish, the
would lay eggs with , , - / ^J 'v
very thin shells. These eggs *('. '',••*"'*/
were usually crushed before , , '
they could hatch. Today, people are not allowed to
use DDT, and the bald eagle, although endan-
gered, has slowly begun to increase in number.
People can also endanger plants and animals
by moving, or introducing, new species into areas
where they do not naturally live. Some of these
species do so well in their new habitat that they
endanger those species already living there, called
the native species. For example, when some fish
are introduced into a lake or stream, they may
prey upon, or eat the food of the native fish. The
native species may then have to find a new source
of food or a new home, or face becoming endan-
gered or extinct.
Another way that people harm animals and
plants is by taking them , ,-
from the wild. Some people * ^
might catch an insect like -x • /-
the Mission Blue Butterfly "*" j"
for a butterfly collection. -*.
Others might capture a ,, '«•
wild animal fora pet, or -- . •' ,*
pick a flower because it's \ "' £
pretty. In addition, some _. ^
illegally hunt ani-
mals for food, skins, or fur. -
In the past, tots of ' l
American crocodiles were
killed so thai their skins , t
could be made into shoes -' / -.*
and other clothing. This
crocodile is now an endangered species.
Why Protect Endangered
and Threatened Species?
Can you imagine walking in the woods without
hearing birds singing in the trees, or picture what
a field would be like without wildflowers blooming
in the grasses? Our plants and wildlife make the
* ^ /
Tin
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1 *° -i *. „ _ *
"^'* if»'»'*>f V//V •, ,' ,'
•< J
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world a more interesting and beautiful place. More
importantly, all living species, including people,
depend on other for survival. For example,
if a fish such as the shortnose sturgeon becomes
extinct, all of the that rely on it for food wfll
also suffer and may become threatened or endan-
gered.
We all depend upon plants and wildlife. From
studying them, we have learned new ways of grow-
ing foods, making clothing, and building houses.
Scientists have discovered how to use certain
plants and animals as sources of medicines. If we
fail to protect threatened or endangered species,
we will never know how they might have improved
our lives.
Endangered and threatened species need our
help. Government agencies, such as the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, and the National Park Service,
along with fish and wildlife agencies and pri-
vate groups are making information available so
can and threat-
ened and their To do your part,
contact for information .and pin
the challenge in helping to protect endangered
and and all wildlife, from
extinction.
This coloring book will introduce you to 21
endangered and threatened plants and animals
found in the United States. As you color these
pages, you will journey to oceans, swamps,
deserts, and islands and bring to life a variety of
plants and animals. If we all work together, we can
continue to share the earth with these fascinating
and important species and enjoy them in the wild-
not only in the pages of books.
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Shortnose Sturgeon
Tliis fish gets its name from its short pointy nose. The
shortnose sturgeon is shaped Ike a torpedo and can swim
very fast. It has two homes. In the winter and spring, the fish
lives in rivers and swims upstream to lay eggs. This trip can
be over 100 miles long! Then, in the summer and fall, the fish
swims out to its second home in the ocean.
In what states is the
shortnose sturgeon found?
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Dwarf Wedge Mussel
See the squiggly line on the river bottom? It wasn't made by a
snake or worm. It was made by the dwarf wedge mussel.
These animals look like small clams, and have hard shells
and soft bodies. Female mussels can carry thousands of eggs
inside their shells, and these shells are only an inch or
two long.
In whal stales is the
dwarf wedge mussel found?
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Nashville Crayfish
The Nashville crayfish looks like a very small lobster. Like
a lobster, the crayfish has claws that can pinch! As a young
crayfish grows, it gets too big for its shell. When this happens,
it grows a bigger shell and casts off the old one like a snake
sheds its skin.
•f J In what slates is the
J.":i-|L*~"'-j Nashville crayfish found?
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Red-Cockaded Woodpecker
V
High up in the trunk of a pine tree, the red-eoekaded
woodpecker digs a hole with its sharp beak. Sap flows from
the tree and collects around the hole. Because the sap is
sticky like glue, it keeps enemies such as snakes iway. In this
and other holes in nearby trees, a family of nine birds will live
quite happily.
In what states is the
red-coekaded woodpecker found?
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Eastern Indigo Snake
When full grown, the eastern indigo snake is longer than
most people are tall. Indigo is the blue-black color of the
snake's skin. This animal eats birds, frogs, and even other
snakes.
In what slates is the
eastern indigo snake found?
\>
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Florida Manatee
Where is the
Florida manatee found?
Tliis gentle animal lives in the coastal waters of Georgia,
Florida, and Puerto Rico. It is about 10 feet long and can
weigh up to 2,000 pounds—as much as a car! Manatees eat
only plants. After eating, they may swim to the bottom and
rest for awhile. Manatees can hold their breath for up to 12
minutes at a time.
8
Puerto
Rico
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Monito Gecko
V
Where is the
Monito gecko found?
This little lixarcl with bulging eyes is quite an acrobat. It races
easily across cliffs and can even walk upside-down! Full-grown
Monito geckos are about as big as your thumb—only 1-1/2
inches long.
Puerto
Rico
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Florida Panther
The Florida panther has a cowlick in the middle of its back
and a crook at the end of its long tail. Like housecats, the
Florida panther keeps clean by licking its fur with its tongue.
These graceful cats make a lot of different noises, including
chirps, peeps, growls, and hisses. Panther kittens make a
sound like a whistle to tell their mother where they are. There
are fewer than 50 Florida panthers alive, making this cat one
of the rarest animals in the world.
10
In what states is the
Florida panther found?
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Green Pitcher Plant
This plant eats bugs! When an insect lands on one of the
plant's leaves, it gets stuck in a gooey liquid. Then it slides
down the leaf into the plant's hollow stem where the bug
is digested like food in our stomachs.
In what is the
green pitcher plant foynd?
11
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Mississippi Sandhill Crane
This tall, grayish bird is very rare. Sometimes, a group of
cranes will dance in a great circle, The cranes bow to their
partners and leap into the air. It would be sad if these graceful,
dancing birds were to disappear.
In what states is the
Mississippi sandhill crane found?
12
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Ozark Big-Eared Bat
This bat has big ears and orange-red far. During the day, it
sleeps hanging upside-down inside of caves. At night, the bat
hunts for moths and other insects. On summer evenings, you
might see bats flying back to their caves. Hungry babies are
waiting to be fed!
13
In what slates is the
•Oiark big-cared bal found?
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Leopard Darter
These Uttle fish have leopard and leopard speed! They
zip through rivers in a wink of an eye, darting after insects,
which they eat Leopard darters grow to only 3 inches long
and live for 1 to 3 years.
IB what ktatea i» the
darter found*
.V*
r
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Wyoming Toad
The Wyoming toad has green skin with dark blotches, This
coloring helps it blend into the grass and hide from animals
that might want to eat it, like raccoons and gulls. These toads
have lived in Wyoming a long time—since the great glaciers
of the Ice Age disappeared more than 12,000 years ago!
15
In what stales is the
Wyoming toad found?
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Black Lace Cactus
111 is tiny cactus, only 6 inches tall, grows in the of
southern Texas. The plant's pink and purple flowers with
red centers are very pretty. But watch out! This plant, like
most cacti, has spines as sharp as pins.
16
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Attwater's Greater Prairie Chicken
,,
•
Oo-loo-woo, sings the male prairie chicken to his mate. Prairie
chickens sing and dance every spring in the grasslands of
Texas. Their dancing area is called the "booming ground"
because of the loud songs of the males.
17
In what slates is the
Atlwater's greater prairie chicken found?
" a
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Desert Tortoise
Tliis tortoise lives in the deserts of Arizona, southern Utah,
Nevada, and California. Actually, it mostly lives under the
desert! In the summer, the tortoise digs tunnels underground
to hick from the sun. All winter it sleeps, or "hibernates,**
in deep holes.
In »li.it <*uk'<* is pln
dt'<« rt turU'tM lnund
v r
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Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle
Some insects are endangered, too. The valley elderberry
longhorn beetle lives only In elderberry trees in California.
Female beetles lay their eggs in cracks and crevices in the
tree bark. It takes 2 years for an adult beetle, with its bright
green wings trimmed with orange, to appear!
19
in what ittitet i» the
elderberry longhorn beetle found?
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Mission Blue Butterfly
The mission blue butterfly flits and flutters, looking for just
the right flower in which to lay its eggs. In a few weeks, these
eggs hatch into caterpillars. Sometimes, these caterpillars
are guarded by ants that protect them from enemies, like
flies and other insects. The caterpillars "pay" the ants back
by giving off a sweet, gooey liquid that the ants like to eat.
20
In what states m the
mission blue btitterfly found?
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Manna Kea Silversword
In what slates is the
Matina Kca silvers word found?
The Manna Kea silver sword is found only In the State of
Hawaii on the island of MayL The pretty pink flowers of this
plant can rise over 7 feet high! At the bottom of the plant is a
ball of pointed, silvery leaves that look like swords. The leaves
are sharp as swords, too!
21
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Bald Eagle
The bald eagle is our national symbol. Its eyesight is so good
that it can a fish from more a mile It is so fast
that it can swoop down through the air at 100 an hour
In is the
eagle found?
to
at it can swoop down tnrougn trie air at iixi
catch this tasty meal with its strong claws.
22
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Bear
In what stales is the
grizzly bear found?
You'd look pretty short standing next to this 8-foot tall bear!
The grizzly bear Is one of the "biggest animals in North
America, Adult grizzly bears are shy and usually live alone,
Young cubs stay with their mother for several years,
She teaches them to hunt, fish, and find berries and nuts.
23
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Index of Species* Common Name,
Scientific Name, and Status
PACE COMMON
3 Shoitnose
4 Dwarf wedge
5 Nashville crayfish
8 Red-cockaded woodpecker
7
8 Florida manatee
9 Monilo gecko
10 Florida panther
11 Green pitcher plant
12 Mississippi sandhill crane
13 Ozark big-eared bat
14 Leopard darter
15 Wyoming toad
16 Black lace cactus
1? Aitwater's greater prairie
chicken
18 Desert tortoise
19 Valley elderberry longhorn
beetle
20 blue
21 Manna Kea
22 Bald
23 Grizzly bear
seniinmc NAME
Dtymarcko* mmptri
Trick tckta manafm
Spkaerodaetylm
Felts mmeol&r covji
Stt'trmmia ormpkiia
Gnts canadensts putta
rteeotm townsmdii ingms
Ptm»a pantkmna
ktmiophrys baxteri
Eekinocenvs ntcktnbackii
var. alfaertii
STATUS
endangered
endangered
endangered
endangered
threatened
endangered
endangered
endangered
endangered
endangered
endangered
threatened
endangered
endangered
endangered
threatened
threatened
Umm (<*U.a. korrilritis)
endangered
U-S. except
W4 OH MM, Wl, Ml
where fc b
threatened
C48
stat«)
24
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Mission Blue Butterfly
Florida Panther
Desert Tortoise
Dwarf Wedge Mussel
Bald Eagle
Shortnose Sturgeon
Grizzly Bear
Eastern Indigo Snake
Leopard Darter
Mississippi
Sandhill Crane
valley Elderberry
Longhorn Beetle
An water's Greater
Prairie Chicken
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Red-Cockaded
Woodpecker
If you would like more information about EPA's
Endangered Species Protection Program, contact:
Endangered Species Protection Program (H7506C)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW.
Washington, DC 20460
Mauna Kea Sllversword
Monlto Gecko
Florida Manatee
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