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 ------- 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. ------- 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 • ------- ,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 *x i*" •>•;• 1 *° -i *. „ _ * "^'* if»'»'*>f V//V •, ,' ,' •< J / .-,,.-,//>, .; '/'-- /* '' ' • ' ft". ". 0/-I 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. ------- 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? ------- 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? ------- 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? ------- 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? ------- 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? \> ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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? ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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? ------- 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 ------- 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? ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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? ------- 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? ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- |