How many extint animals are there in the world?

The number of extinct animals is not precisely known, as new discoveries are made regularly and some species may have gone extinct without being recorded. However, it is estimated that there have been over 99% of all species that have ever existed on Earth are now extinct. This represents billions of species over the history of life on Earth.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), there are currently 902 extinct species and 64 extinct subspecies listed in their Red List of Threatened Species. This list includes species that have been confirmed to have gone extinct in the wild, based on rigorous scientific criteria and evidence.

The number of extinct species continues to grow due to various factors such as habitat loss, overexploitation, pollution, climate change, and invasive species. Many species are driven to extinction before they can be discovered and scientifically described.

It is important to note that extinction is a natural process that has been occurring throughout the history of life. However, the current rate of extinction is considered to be significantly higher than the background extinction rate, primarily due to human activities. This poses significant ecological, environmental, and ethical concerns, as it disrupts ecosystems, reduces biodiversity, and leads to the loss of unique species and genetic diversity.