While hiking through the Wonderopolis jungle, we took a break under a large shade tree and overheard a conversation between a monkey and a sloth in the branches above us:
Monkey: Hey Sloth! Wake up! Did you know you can see the beach from up here?
Sloth: I’m awake, Monkey. Wow! Look at all the humans on the beach. What are they doing?
Monkey: They call it sunbathing. I don’t understand it. They just lie on the sand and sweat.
Sloth: Why would they do that when they could nap in a cool tree?
Monkey: They would need a lot of trees. Look at all of them! How many are there? Help me count. 1…2…3…4…wait, did I already count that one?
Unable to nap with the two animals chattering above us, we continued on our way. However, their conversation made us wonder about the global animal population. While we have an idea of the human population on Earth, we were curious about the total number of animals in the world.
Unfortunately, answering this question is not easy. Scientists who have attempted to do so have only been able to provide rough estimates with a large margin of error.
If you want to understand the difficulty in accurately counting all the animals in the world, we have a challenge for you: count all the animals on your property. This includes your house and the surrounding land.
Start by counting the humans in your home, as they are easy to count. Pets are also easy to count. However, there are many more animals around you. Don’t forget about the birds and squirrels living outside your home. Additionally, you need to count the rabbits, raccoons, mice, and other creatures that are not easily visible during the day.
If you have a pond on your property, remember to count the fish as well! Lastly, do not forget to count insects, as they are the most populous group of animals in any area. This means counting every ant, fly, and mosquito.
If you take this challenge seriously, you will soon realize the difficulties scientists face when trying to answer this question. There are simply too many animals to count, and many of them are extremely difficult to track down or monitor.
Some animals are too small to be seen, while others reside in hard-to-reach places. Moreover, the human population is spread across the globe, making it impossible to know the exact number of humans at any given time. Hence, scientists rely on estimates and educated guesses to understand populations.
Let’s examine some facts and figures that highlight the challenges of estimating the global animal population. Firstly, we do not even know the number of animal species in the world, let alone the number of individual animals.
Scientists have recently calculated that there are around 8.7 million species on Earth. They believe that 1-2 million of these species are animals. And what do we know about all of these species? Not much! According to the same study, 86% of all land species and 91% of all sea species have yet to be discovered or described!
Let’s focus on the species that we do know about and examine some fascinating numbers for specific groups of animals. Scientists estimate that there are over seven billion humans in the world today. That’s an astonishing number, but there are more chickens (over 18 billion) than humans. Thankfully, humans do outnumber cattle (1.4 billion) and sheep (1.1 billion).
However, these numbers pale in comparison to the world of insects. For instance, scientists estimate that there are over 10,000 trillion ants alive at any given time. Based on these estimates, some scientists believe that the total insect population is 10 quintillion, which is equivalent to 10 billion billion! This figure has led at least one expert to estimate that the total animal population on Earth is approximately 20 quintillion, or 20 billion billion!
Give it a Try
Are you ready to have some fun with animals? Make sure to try out the following activities with a friend or family member:
- How high can you count? Grab a notebook and a pen and prepare to count. Choose a spot in your backyard or a park and get comfortable. Spend at least 30 minutes observing the area, jotting down every type of animal you see. Try to keep track of the number of each different animal you come across. Keep an eye out for all types of animals, including insects. Enjoy yourself! How many can you count?
- Isn’t it incredible that the majority of species on Earth have not been discovered or described? Why do you think this is the case? Where do you believe they are hiding? If you were a scientist interested in discovering new species, where would you search? How would you go about finding and describing new species? Develop an action plan for exploring the world of undiscovered species. Discuss your plan with a friend or family member.
- Despite the fact that humans have explored many corners of our planet, new species are still being discovered and described today. Visit LiveScience with a family member or friend to explore newly discovered species! Which one captivates you the most? Which species interests your family member or friend the most and why?
References
- http://new.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=2649&ArticleID=8838&l=en&t=long
- http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2011/11/03/141946751/along-with-humans-who-else-is-in-the-7-billion-club
- http://animals.mom.me/number-animals-earth-3994.html
FAQ
1. How many animal species are there in the world?
It is estimated that there are around 8.7 million animal species in the world. However, this number is not definitive as new species are constantly being discovered and some may become extinct without our knowledge. The actual number of animal species could be much higher or lower than the estimate.
2. Which animal group has the most species?
The insect group, which includes insects like beetles, butterflies, and ants, has the most species. In fact, insects make up more than half of all known animal species. This incredible diversity can be attributed to their ability to adapt to different environments and their small size, which allows them to inhabit various habitats.
3. Are there more land animals or marine animals?
There are more marine animals than land animals. The ocean is filled with a vast array of species, including fish, whales, dolphins, sharks, and countless other marine creatures. However, it is important to note that the majority of marine species are still unknown to us, as the depths of the ocean remain largely unexplored.
4. How many animal species are endangered?
Currently, more than 30,000 animal species are considered endangered, meaning they are at risk of extinction. This number includes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. The main threats to these species include habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and illegal wildlife trade. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect these endangered animals and preserve biodiversity.
5. What is the most common animal species on Earth?
The most common animal species on Earth is difficult to determine precisely. However, one of the most abundant animals is believed to be the nematode, also known as roundworm. Nematodes can be found in almost every habitat, including soil, water, and even inside other organisms. Their small size and adaptability contribute to their widespread presence in various ecosystems.
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