Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Critically endangered is the highest risk category assigned to species that are facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. These species have very small populations or are experiencing a rapid decline in their population size.
Related terms
Endangered (EN): This term refers to species that are at a high risk of extinction in the wild, but not as severe as critically endangered.
Vulnerable (VU): This term refers to species that are at a lower risk than critically endangered and endangered, but still face significant threats to their survival.