Definitions

STATE DEFINITIONS



Endangered
A native species or subspecies of a bird, mammal, fish, amphibian, reptile, or plant which is in serious danger of becoming extinct throughout all, or a significant portion, of its range due to one or more causes, including loss of habitat, change in habitat, overexploitation, predation, competition, or disease.

Threatened
A native species or subspecies of a bird, mammal, fish, amphibian, reptile, or plant that, although not presently threatened with extinction, is likely to become an endangered species in the foreseeable future in the absence of special protection and management efforts.

Rare
A species, subspecies, or variety that, although not presently threatened with extinction, is in such small numbers throughout its range that it may become endangered if its present environment worsens.

Candidate
A native species or subspecies of a bird, mammal, fish, amphibian, reptile, or plant that the commission has formally noticed as being under review by the Department for addition to either the list of endangered species or the list of threatened species, or a species for which the commission has published a notice of proposed regulation to add the species to either list.

Species of Special Concern
Native species or subspecies that have become vulnerable to extinction because of declining population levels, limited ranges, or rarity. The goal is to prevent these animals from becoming endangered by addressing the issues of concern early enough to secure long term viability for these species.
 

FEDERAL DEFINITIONS 



Endangered
Any species which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

Threatened
Any species which is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

Proposed
A species that has been proposed for listing as threatened or endangered in the Federal Register.

Candidate
A species for which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has on file sufficient information to support a proposal to list the species as endangered or threatened, but for which proposed rules have not yet been issued.

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