Definition:
Under the Endangered Species Act, an endangered species is "any species which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range other than a species of the Class Insecta determined by the Secretary to constitute a pest whose protection under the provisions of this Act would present an overwhelming and overriding risk to man." Endangered species currently listed under the ESA include only plants and animals, although fungi and single-celled organisms are not explicitly excluded under the ESA.
In lay terms, an endangered species is any species which is in danger of extinction, even "pests," fungi, and single-celled organisms.
Also Known As: "Listed species" includes both endangered and threatened species listed under the Endangered Species Act.
Examples:
Right whales, Florida panthers and California condors are examples of endangered species.
