Which characteristic defines endangered species?

The defining characteristic of endangered species is their susceptibility to extinction due to population decline. Endangered species have populations that have decreased significantly and are at risk of disappearing from their natural habitats. This decline can be caused by various factors, including habitat destruction, pollution, overexploitation, disease, and climate change.

The focus on population decline highlights that these species are not merely uncommon or rare; they are facing immediate threats that could lead to their extinction if conservation efforts are not implemented. Identifying species as endangered helps prioritize conservation actions and resources to protect them before their numbers dwindle to critical levels beyond recovery.

In contrast, high population rates and diversified habitats indicate stability, not endangerment, and unique behavioral traits or urban adaptability do not inherently provide information about a species' conservation status.