critically endangered species: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

Nov. 13, 2026

News •

Critically endangered tortoises slurp up pumpkin soup • Nov. 12, 2026, 2:00 PM ET (Popular Science)

Most of the World's Shallow-Water Coral Reefs Have Been Deemed Critically Endangered, Meaning They Could Collapse Within 50 Years • Oct. 26, 2026, 12:00 PM ET (Smithsonian Magazine)

I.U.C.N. Red List Classifies Most Shallow Coral Reefs as Critically Endangered • Oct. 22, 2026, 8:00 AM ET (New York Times)

Facts

Also Known As	Critically Endangered • CR

Photos and Videos

A flowchart illustrating the IUCN Red List categories for species conservation status, from not evaluated and least concern to extinct, with a red arrow showing increasing risk of extinction from left to right.

Diagram illustrating the main drivers of biodiversity loss, with arrows pointing from habitat loss, invasive species, overexploitation, pollution, and climate change toward a section labeled biodiversity loss, alongside influencers such as human population growth and increased consumption.

Vaquita (Phocoena sinus)

A Panamanian golden frog with bright yellow skin and black markings sits on a green leaf, surrounded by blurred foliage.

A pangolin walks through grass with a blue circle around it and the word endangered written in white across the image.

See All Videos and Images →

Topics

10 Critically Endangered Animals of India Critically endangered tortoises born at Philadelphia Zoo endangered species wildlife conservation threatened species Falling Stars: 10 of the Most Famous Endangered Species Saving Sharks in the 2020s Today in History—June 28: A Milestone Moment for Bald Eagles How Botanical Gardens Save Plants with Science What Makes a Species Endangered?What Is the Christmas Bird Count?Why is it illegal to touch a manatee?