The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has published its annual Red List, which details threats to animals and plants. The 2012 report has assessed more than 60,000 species. Coral reefs are among the most threatened organisms on Earth, with a third threatened with extinction. More than 275 million people are dependent on coral reefs for food, coastal protection and livelihoods, according to the IUCN.
Coral reef, Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia —
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has published its annual Red List, which details threats to animals and plants. The 2012 report has assessed more than 60,000 species. Coral reefs are among the most threatened organisms on Earth, with a third threatened with extinction. More than 275 million people are dependent on coral reefs for food, coastal protection and livelihoods, according to the IUCN.
IUCN Photo Library © Jason Suwandy
The world's largest venomous snake is classified as "vulnerable" to extinction by the IUCN. Of the 63,837 total species assessed, 19,817 are threatened with extinction.
King Cobra (Ophiophagus Hannah) —
The world's largest venomous snake is classified as "vulnerable" to extinction by the IUCN. Of the 63,837 total species assessed, 19,817 are threatened with extinction.
Copyright Bosse Jonsson
Native to Mexico, this species of iguana is not thought to be decreasing but is thought to be "vulnerable" due to its restricted geographical range.
Nolasco Spiny-tailed Iguana —
Native to Mexico, this species of iguana is not thought to be decreasing but is thought to be "vulnerable" due to its restricted geographical range.
Copyright Scott Trageser
The IUCN estimates that a quarter of all mammals on Earth are threatened with extinction. The Caqueta Titi monkey and a Burmese snub-nosed monkey are two of the 1,900 species that were newly added to the 2012 Red List.
Caqueta Titi Monkey (Callicebus caquetensis) —
The IUCN estimates that a quarter of all mammals on Earth are threatened with extinction. The Caqueta Titi monkey and a Burmese snub-nosed monkey are two of the 1,900 species that were newly added to the 2012 Red List.
Copyright Javier Garcia
Heavy fishing pressures and habitat degradation threaten the ongoing existence of the Leopard Whipray -- a commerically valuable species -- the IUCN says.
Leopard Whipray (Himantura leopard) —
Heavy fishing pressures and habitat degradation threaten the ongoing existence of the Leopard Whipray -- a commerically valuable species -- the IUCN says.
Copyright Joe Wu
The cuttlefish is another newly recorded species on the 2012 Red List and classified as "near threatened."
Giant Australian Cuttlefish (Sepia apama) —
The cuttlefish is another newly recorded species on the 2012 Red List and classified as "near threatened."
Copyright Roger Hanlon
A pristine coral reef in the Federated States of Micronesia in the Western Pacific Ocean. The IUCN says that 33% of reef-building corals are threatened with extinction.
Coral reef, Federated States of Micronesia —
A pristine coral reef in the Federated States of Micronesia in the Western Pacific Ocean. The IUCN says that 33% of reef-building corals are threatened with extinction.
IUCN Photo Library © Andre Seale
Trade and overexploitation for food and skins has made this species "vulnerable," according to the IUCN. Ten percent of snakes endemic to China and Southeast Asia are threatened with extinction.
Burmese Python (Python bivittatus) —
Trade and overexploitation for food and skins has made this species "vulnerable," according to the IUCN. Ten percent of snakes endemic to China and Southeast Asia are threatened with extinction.
Copyright Mark Auliya
The two-tailed pasha can be found in southern Europe and is less at risk than some other European butterfly species. Of Europe's endemic butterflies, 16% are under threat, says the IUCN.
Two-tailed Pasha (Charaxes jasius) —
The two-tailed pasha can be found in southern Europe and is less at risk than some other European butterfly species. Of Europe's endemic butterflies, 16% are under threat, says the IUCN.
Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, user: Siga
Native to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the United States, the red fruit bat is classified as "vulnerable" by the IUCN due to "ongoing population reduction" and because of its "small geographical range." Bats and birds both help control insect populations, which may otherwise destroy agricultural crops.
Red Fruit Bat (Stenoderma rufum) —
Native to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the United States, the red fruit bat is classified as "vulnerable" by the IUCN due to "ongoing population reduction" and because of its "small geographical range." Bats and birds both help control insect populations, which may otherwise destroy agricultural crops.
Copyright Allen Kurta
The pink-throated brilliant is a member of the hummingbird family and is native to Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. It is classified as "vulnerable" by the IUCN Red List. Thirteen percent of birds are threatened with extinction.
Pink-throated Brilliant (Heliodoxa gularis) —
The pink-throated brilliant is a member of the hummingbird family and is native to Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. It is classified as "vulnerable" by the IUCN Red List. Thirteen percent of birds are threatened with extinction.
Copyright Chris Sloan
A relative of turmeric, candy cane ginger is classified as "vulnerable."
Candy Cane Ginger (Curcuma rhabdota) —
A relative of turmeric, candy cane ginger is classified as "vulnerable."
Copyright Jana Leong-Skornickova
This rediscovered frog, which can be found in Lake Huma, Israel, is classified as "critically endangered." Amphibians make up the largest number of species in danger, with 41% threatened with extinction.
Hula Painted Frog (Discoglossus nigriventer) —
This rediscovered frog, which can be found in Lake Huma, Israel, is classified as "critically endangered." Amphibians make up the largest number of species in danger, with 41% threatened with extinction.
Copyright Oz Rittner