What is an endangered species?

An endangered species is defined as a species that is at risk of extinction, primarily due to factors such as habitat loss, climate change, poaching, and invasive species. The term signifies that the population of the species has decreased to a point where it can no longer sustain itself in the wild without conservation efforts or intervention. Endangered species often require protection and conservation measures to improve their chances of survival and to maintain biodiversity.

In contrast, the other options reference characteristics that do not necessarily define an endangered species. A species that is widely distributed may have a large range but does not imply it is at risk; a species with a stable population is in a healthy state, thereby not endangered; and a species that has no natural predators may thrive without the threat of extinction. Hence, option A stands out as the correct definition of an endangered species.