Extinct animals are animal species that have stopped breeding, died and no longer exist. The moment the last living species dies is understood as the time of its extinction. Here are examples of extinct animals: Dinosaurs.

An animal that no longer has any living representatives on Earth is called an extinct species. Extinction occurs when the last individual of a particular group of organisms dies, meaning the species can no longer reproduce and continue its lineage. In 2026, scientists categorize extinction into several levels, including "Extinct in the Wild" (where individuals only survive in captivity) and "Functional Extinction" (where the population is so small it can no longer play a role in its ecosystem). While famous examples include the Dodo, the Woolly Mammoth, and various dinosaurs, extinction is an ongoing process driven by habitat loss, climate change, and human activity. Interestingly, in 2026, "De-extinction" has become a serious field of study, with companies like Colossal Biosciences working to use genetic engineering to bring back proxies of animals like the Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger). However, for now, "extinct" remains the definitive term for a species whose chapter in the history of life has officially closed.