26 Extinct Animals I Believe Could Still Be Alive

Summary

In this video, the host explores a tier list of extinct animals and evaluates the likelihood of their survival past their officially declared extinction dates. From famous creatures like the dodo and megalodon to more obscure species such as the thylacine and the zanzibar leopard, the host presents a range of perspectives on their potential to still exist. Drawing on personal experiences, expeditions, and research, the host provides a mix of skepticism and hope for each animal's fate, ultimately sparking curiosity and excitement about the possibility of lost species still roaming the Earth.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker is passionate about extinct animals and their potential survival beyond their declared extinction dates.
• 😀 The Ivory-Billed Woodpecker has a 50-75% chance of still being out there, but its large size and North American habitat make it unlikely to remain undiscovered for long.
• 😀 The Dodo bird, extinct since 1681, is almost certainly extinct with no credible sightings or evidence suggesting otherwise.
• 😀 The Thylacine, once native to Tasmania and Australia, may still exist in remote parts of Papua New Guinea, with a 75-90% chance it survived past its known extinction date.
• 😀 The Megalodon shark is considered likely extinct with less than a 10% chance of survival, despite some speculation around its existence.
• 😀 The Host Eagle, a giant bird from New Zealand that hunted Moa, likely went extinct after the Moa disappeared, with only a 10-25% chance of having survived.
• 😀 The American saber-tooth cat is definitively extinct, with no chance of survival beyond the time it was believed to have gone extinct.
• 😀 The concept of 'living dinosaurs' is explained, with examples such as chickens, crocodiles, and sharks being considered modern-day dinosaurs, with a 90% chance they still exist in some form.
• 😀 The Great Auk, once widespread, likely survived longer than its extinction date, with a 75-90% chance it lasted beyond its known extinction timeline.
• 😀 The Zanzibari leopard is believed to have survived well beyond its officially declared extinction date, with a 90% likelihood it's still out there.
• 😀 The Passenger Pigeon, once incredibly abundant, is confirmed extinct, though it may have survived longer than initially believed, with less than a 10% chance of survival past its known extinction date.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The main focus of the video script is evaluating the likelihood of various extinct animals still being alive today. The host examines a variety of animals that were declared extinct and discusses their possible survival using a tier maker.

What are the chances the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker is still alive according to the host?

The host gives the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker a 50-75% chance of still being alive. The bird's large size and the extensive searching efforts in North America lead to the belief that it might have survived longer than previously thought.

Why does the host think the Dodo is definitely extinct?

The host believes the Dodo is definitely extinct because it was last seen in 1681 and there have been no credible reports of sightings since then. The bird's flightless nature and the confined area it inhabited make it highly unlikely to have survived.

What is the host's opinion on the Thylacine's survival?

The host is hopeful but cautious about the Thylacine's survival. They give it a 75-90% chance of having survived past its known extinction date, particularly in remote regions like Western Papua New Guinea, but believe it is likely gone from Tasmania and mainland Australia.

How does the host evaluate the likelihood of the Megalodon still existing?

The host believes the Megalodon is almost certainly extinct, giving it less than a 10% chance of survival. Despite its long extinction, the host acknowledges that the exact time of its disappearance is unclear.

What reasoning does the host provide for the survival of living dinosaurs?

The host argues that certain modern animals, like chickens, crocodiles, and sharks, are descendants of dinosaurs, thus making them living dinosaurs. They give living dinosaurs a 90% chance of still existing, as they have persisted in various forms through evolutionary history.

What is the host's conclusion about the Great Auk?

The host believes the Great Auk likely survived longer than previously thought but is now extinct. They estimate a 75-90% chance that the Great Auk stayed around past its known extinction date, given its extensive range across Europe, Greenland, Iceland, and Canada.

What does the host think about the possibility of the Japanese wolf still existing?

The host gives the Japanese wolf a 50-75% chance of still being alive, based on reports of sightings and howling in Japan. They also mention the possibility that the Japanese wolf may have hybridized with local village dogs, potentially leaving traces of its DNA.

What are the host’s thoughts on the North American horse and its potential survival?

The host considers the North American horse to be extinct, as it was driven to extinction around 10,000 years ago. However, they acknowledge a very slim chance (less than 10%) that traces of its DNA may persist in modern wild horses, particularly if there was any hybridization with horses brought by Spanish conquistadors.

What is the host's final take on the possibility of the Caribbean monk seal still being alive?

The host believes the Caribbean monk seal is most likely extinct, though it may have survived longer than expected. They place the likelihood of its continued existence in the 75-90% range, based on reports of sightings, but ultimately conclude it is highly unlikely to still be around.