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Save Our Species
Loss of a single species from its ecosystem affects others that rely on it. The disappearance of one plant species may affect an entire food chain. Starting with insects that live or feed on the plant, moving on to the birds and frogs that eat the insects, and ending with the larger animals like snakes, hawks, and foxes that prey on the birds and frogs.
Approximately 1300 different species in the United States are listed as endangered or threatened. When people use pesticides to kill insects and other pests, they can also endanger the lives of plants and animals. That’s why EPA has a program to protect threatened and endangered species from contact with pesticides that might be harmful. If EPA determines that a pesticide may put at risk an endangered or threatened species, EPA will tell you on the label of the pesticide container how to find out what you need to do to protect that species. EPA will have a bulletin that explains how to use the product in a way that will not harm the species.
Many people think that animals like whales, eagles, and wolves are the only endangered species. Other endangered or threatened organisms include specific species of shrimp, frogs, butterflies, grasses, spiders, fish, clams, rice, snails, turtles, birds, orchids, squirrels, mice, deer, bats, and cacti.
Click on the pictures below to learn more about these endangered species! The plants and animals depicted here are not necessarily threatened by pesticides; however, they are representative of the many different species our program is protecting.
