According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, leatherback sea turtles, or Dermochelys coriacea, reside in the estuaries of eastern Georgia's Atlantic Coast region; estuaries include St. Catherine's Islands, Wassaw and Ossabaw. The primary reasons for the leatherback sea turtle's endangerment are egg poaching and overhunting. These turtles are in Georgia during April and May, which is one of the leatherback sea turtle's primary nesting periods. In order to prevent further population decline, Georgia's Department of Natural Resources requires fishermen to use turtle excluder devices in order to prevent turtles from drowning in fish and shrimp nets.
The smooth coneflower, or Echinacea laevigata, is a perennial flowering plant. In 1992, this flower was labeled an endangered species and the Endangered Species Act protects it. Primary reasons for the decline of smooth coneflowers is road and urban development, fire suppression and the use of these flowers in the horticulture industry. This plant has pink flower petals and its blossoming period lasts from May through July. Smooth coneflowers in Georgia grow in forests and open meadow areas. The only Georgia counties with smooth coneflowers are Stephens and Habersham.
In Georgia, the only rivers in which you can find the shortnose sturgeon, or Acipenser brevirostrum, are in the Savannah, Althama and Ogeechee. The main reasons for the shortnose sturgeon's endangerment is water degradation, the construction of dams and commercial fishing. This fish was placed under protection of the Endangered Species Preservation Act in the mid 1960s. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the shortnose sturgeon is the smallest sturgeon species in North America, growing up to approximately 55 inches as adults. Also, female sturgeons live as long as 67 years.
Georgia has 67 federally listed endangered or threatened species, states a study from the University of Georgia's Warnell School of Forestry. The largest amount of endangered species are plants; among Georgia's endangered plants are the relict trillium, Canby's dropwart and hairy rattleweed. There are 11 fish species that are endangered or threatened, such as the amber darter and conasauga logperch. Mammals and reptiles are tied at seven species, while nine species of birds face endangerment. The only endangered insect in Georgia is the American burying beetle.