Is it because we assume they are extinct when, in fact, some are still alive somewhere? And what are the criteria to declare a species extinct?
In: Biology
Not a specialist but my understanding is that it’s usually:
– those species weee not seen for decades and as such were thought extinct but new members of said species have been seen again
– or it’s converging evolution in which several species look alike because they find the same solution to similar problems (for instance moles in Australia and Europe) or [crabs](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carcinisation).
Usually species are declared extinct through surveys and research being conducted but no living members are found. With deforestation expanding more and more every year, along with many humans now having a camera on them at all times, we’re more often in contact with species that used to have taken refuge farther away from civilisation and being able to « capture » them on film … well on a drive.
Again not an expert so please correct me if I’m wrong.
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