The shortnose sturgeon, or Acipenser brevirostrum, is found in South Georgia bodies of water, including the Savannah River, St. Mary's River and Altamaha River. This freshwater fish has a short nose and wide mouth; the mouth is 60 percent wider than the distance between its eyes. Shortnose sturgeons are bottom feeders and are found on the bottom of river floors. When fully mature, shortnose sturgeons grow up to 3 feet in length. The primary reasons for endangerment are overfishing, habitat fragmentation and loss of habitat. The shortnose sturgeon is protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.
According the "Florida Times-Union," the reticulated flatwoods salamander, or Ambystoma bishopi, has been placed under the protection of the Endangered Species Act. This salamander is native to South Georgia, North Florida and South Carolina's coastal region. Reticulated flatwoods salamander populations in South Georgia include the riparian area near the Altahama River and coastal Georgia parks, such as Blackbeard Island and Reynolds State Wildlife Refuge. When fully mature, these salamanders are about 5 inches long. The natural habitat for reticulated flatwoods salamanders are pine forests and wetlands areas.
Also referred to as the wood ibis or flint head, the wood stork has been protected by the U.S. Endangered Species Act since 1984. This bird is one of the only stork species in the United States. The bird is native to South Georgia and found in the state's coastal region and wetlands areas. Adult wood storks are more than 3 feet tall. This bird preys on baby alligators, snakes, fish and amphibians. The main cause of the wood stork's population decline is habitat loss, habitat fragmentation and degradation of water from pollution. The bird's scientific name is Mycteria Americana.
The Florida torreya is an endangered tree species in South Georgia's Decatur County. This tree is also called the "Stinking Cedar," due to the pungent smell from the tree's foliage. Causes of population decline include urban development and dam construction at Lake Seminole. According to the University of Georgia, the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance has made efforts to revive the population of Florida torreyas. This tree is one of the oldest species in North America; it is estimated Florida torreyas have been around for about 165 million years.