The Red Data Book contains data on the specific endangered species of a country. It is a public document that is updated by the International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). The main motive of the Red Data Book is to protect those species that face the threat of becoming extinct. With this guide, countries can take the right steps towards the conservation of plants and animals that are at a high risk of becoming extinct. In the Red Data Book, the word “Red” signifies danger that the animal and plant species presently experience across the globe. In this book, the most endangered species are depicted by the red colour.

History

The Red Data Book was created to record rare and endangered species of plants, animals, and some local subspecies. It is a public document that encapsulates data on the endangered and vulnerable species in a particular region. Since the book was first published in Russia, it is also known as the “Russian Red Data Book”. 

The Red Data Book was first issued by the special survival commission of the IUCN. The IUCN is an international organisation that strives towards the prevention of nature and natural resources. The guide for the preservation, formulation, and management of endangered species are listed in this book. 

Now that you know what the Red Data Book is, you can read the next section to understand its colour codes.

Colour coded information sheet of Red Data Book

The Red Data Book utilises coloured information sheets. It also makes use of colours to depict a list of species that are attacked by others.

There are 6 colours of sheets present in the Red Data Book. Here is what each of the colours signifies: 

  • Black: Extinct species

Black sheets in the Red Data Book are used to list extinct species. It means that these species will never be seen on the globe. Some examples of the extinct species include: 

  • The dodo bird of Mauritius. 
  • “Sea cow”, an aquatic mammal which is also known as Steller’s sea cow.
  • Passenger pigeon (the last of which died in 1914).
  • Thylacine, also known as the marsupial wolf, was the largest carnivorous marsupial of recent times.
  • Other examples of extinct species are “sabre-toothed cat” also called “sabre-toothed Tigers/Lions”, “Woolly Mammoth”, “Northern White Rhinoceros”, “Western Black Rhinoceros”, etc. 
  • Red: Endangered species

Red sheets are a symbol of danger in the Red Data Book. Here, the word ‘danger’ means that the plants or animals listed under this colour are highly prone to become extinct if not taken care of. Once extinct, these species will move to the black pages of the Red Data Book. This is a special conservation status that implores countries to take immediate action. Some examples of endangered species are given below-

  • “The Giant Panda”.
  • “Lycaon pictus”, commonly known as “African Wild Dog”.
  • “Elephas maximus indicus” (Asian elephant). 
  • “Balaenoptera musculus” (Blue whale) etc. 
  • Amber: Vulnerable species 

In the Red Data Book, amber is used to denote those species that are vulnerable due to being attacked by predators. These animals will likely become critically endangered or extinct without proper action. Some examples of vulnerable species are-

  • “Clouded Leopard”.
  • “Black buck”.
  • “Nicobar Flying Fox”.
  • “Nilgiri Marten”.
  • “Barasingha”.
  • “Takin and Wild Goat”.
  • White: Very rare species

White sheets represent rare plants, animals, and insects in the Red Data Book. These species are found in a region’s biodiversity hotspots. Some examples of very rare species are-

  • “Phocoena sinus” (vaquita), cetacean’s smallest living species. 
  • “Rhinoceros sondaicus” Javan rhinoceros. 
  • “Canis rufus”(Red wolf) 
  • “Ursus arctos gobiensis” (Gobi bear) found only in the Gobi desert of Mongolia. It is a subspecies of brown bears. 
  • Green: not endangered species

In the Red Data Book, green species are those species that do not face any danger of extinction. These species are safe and thriving and therefore are listed under the green species.

  • Grey: endangered, rare, and vulnerable species

Grey colour represents all endangered, rare, and vulnerable species, but sufficient information is not available to classify them.

Conclusion

The Red Data Book is a public document that is made to protect endangered species. This book aims to provide complete information on endangered, vulnerable & rare species, which are present all over the world, for research and analysis. The Red Data Book provides detailed information for studies and plays a crucial role in protecting the species.The Red Data Book was first issued by the special survival commission of the IUCN. The IUCN is an international organisation that strives towards the prevention of nature and natural resources. The guide for the preservation, formulation, and management of endangered species are listed in this book.