Near Threatened
Animals that are close to being at risk, but not quite vulnerable yet, though they may need attention soon.
American Bison
American Bison
Scientific Name
Bison bison
Weight LB
699.6-2200 lbs
Average Life Span
15-40 years
Fact
American bison are surprisingly agile, capable of running up to 35 mph, jumping over 6 feet high, and swimming well, despite their massive size (up to 2,000 lbs). Their large shoulder hump, made of muscle, acts like a snowplow to clear snow for grazing in winter, and baby bison are born reddish-orange, earning them the nickname "red dogs".
Weight KG
318-1000 kg
Country
United States
Continent
North America
Habitat
Grasslands
Type
Mammals
Diet
Herbivore
Region
North America
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
Scientific Name
Crotalus adamanteus
Weight LB
5–10 lb
Average Life Span
10–20 years
Fact
The rattle at the end of its tail is made of hollow segments of keratin (the same protein found in your hair and fingernails). Each time the snake sheds its skin, a new segment is added to the rattle. However, you can't tell a snake's age by its rattle—segments often break off in the wild, and snakes may shed their skin multiple times a year depending on how much they eat!
Weight KG
2.3–4.5 kg
Country
United States
Continent
North America
Habitat
Coastal dunes, Pine forests, scrublands
Type
Reptiles
Diet
Carnivore
Region
North America
Gila Monster
Gila Monster
Scientific Name
Heloderma suspectum
Weight LB
1.5–5 lb
Average Life Span
20–30 years
Fact
A fun fact about the Gila monster is that a protein from its venom, exendin-4, led to the creation of a diabetes drug (Byetta) that helps control blood sugar, showing how this venomous lizard's bite can save lives. They are also one of the few truly venomous lizards in the world, spend most of their lives underground, and store fat in their tails to survive long periods between meals.
Weight KG
0.7–2.3 kg
Country
United States
Continent
North America
Habitat
Deserts, Rocky foothills
Type
Reptiles
Diet
Carnivore
Region
North America
Keel-billed Toucan
Keel-billed Toucan
Scientific Name
Ramphastos sulfuratus
Weight LB
0.8–1.5 lb
Average Life Span
15-20 years
Fact
Keel-Billed Toucan Bird Facts - Ramphastos sulfuratus - A-Z ...The Keel-billed Toucan's huge, colorful bill looks heavy but is actually lightweight and hollow, used for reaching fruit, cooling down, and even playing "fruit ball" with other toucans, which often sleep piled together in tree holes, folding their bills onto their backs to fit. This tropical bird, also called the Rainbow-billed Toucan, is the national bird of Belize, known for its loud, frog-like calls and social behavior, often traveling in flocks.
Weight KG
0.35–0.7 kg
Continent
North America
Habitat
lowland forests, Tropical rainforests
Type
Birds
Diet
Omnivore
Region
North America