The use of this API is strictly under the Terms of Use of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
It is advisable wherever possible to use the taxon name (species name) to make your API calls, rather than using IDs. IDs are not immovable are expected to be used mainly by organisations that work closely with the IUCN Red List.
This API now supports querying regional assessments in addition to global assessments. This can achieved by appending a region_identifier parameter to the desired endpoint. Please see specific documentation for further details.
To check what version of the IUCN Red List is driving the API:
/api/v3/version
To get a list of countries:
/api/v3/country/list?token='YOUR TOKEN'
To get a list of species by country isocode:
/api/v3/country/getspecies/:country?token='YOUR TOKEN'
Replace :country with the ISO-code of the country for which you want the list of species
Example: All species for Azerbaijan (AZ)
| taxonid | |
| scientific_name | Scientific name of the species |
| subspecies | only filled if it's a subspecies/variety/form |
| rank | will be of form spp, var, for |
| subpopulation | |
| category | The Red List category |
To get a list of regions:
/api/v3/region/list?token='YOUR TOKEN'
To get a list of all the species published, as well as the Red List category:
Returns 10,000 records per call, so you need to send multiple requests, based on pages.
| For the first 10,000 records | Page = 0 |
| For the second 10,000 records | Page = 1 |
| For the third 10,000 records | Page = 2 |
| etc... | follow same logic as above |
| taxonid | ID for the Species/Taxon |
| kingdom_name | kingdom name |
| phylum_name | |
| class_name | |
| order_name | |
| family_name | |
| genus_name | |
| scientific_name | Scientific name of taxon |
| taxonomic_authority | Authority for the taxon |
| infra_rank | |
| infra_name | sub-species, if available |
| population | Population name, if available |
| category | The Red List category |
| main_common_name | The Main common name for the taxon as specified by assessor |
/api/v3/species/page/:page_number?token='YOUR TOKEN'
Example: Species list with paging
/api/v3/species/region/:region_identifier/page/:page_number?token='YOUR TOKEN'
Example: European species list with paging
Note: A full list of region identifiers can be obtained using the regions endpoint.
Total Species count:
/api/v3/speciescount?token='YOUR TOKEN'
Check the response below to see the 2 count parameters which are returned
/api/v3/speciescount/region/:region_identifier?token='YOUR TOKEN'
For regional assessments, replace the optional :region_identifier parameter with the region identifier.
Example: Total European assessment count
Note: A full list of region identifiers can be obtained using the regions endpoint.
To get the citation for a given species assessment:
/api/v3/species/citation/:name?token='YOUR TOKEN'
Replace :name with the name of the species.
Example: Citation for Loxodonta Africana
/api/v3/species/citation/:name/region/:region_identifier?token='YOUR TOKEN'
For regional assessments, replace the optional :region_identifier parameter with the region identifier.
Example: Citation for Balaena mysticetus (European assessment)
Note: A full list of region identifiers can be obtained using the regions endpoint.
To get the citation for a given species assessment:
/api/v3/species/citation/id/:id?token='YOUR TOKEN'
Replace :id with the ID of the species, which can be obtained from the full list of species.
Example: Citation for Loxodonta africana
/api/v3/species/citation/:id/region/:region_identifier?token='YOUR TOKEN'
For regional assessments, replace the optional :region_identifier parameter with the region identifier.
Example: Citation for Balaena mysticetus (European assessment)
Note: A full list of region identifiers can be obtained using the regions endpoint.
To get a list of species by category:
/api/v3/species/category/:category?token='YOUR TOKEN'
Example: All VU (vulnerable) listed species
Note: the possible categories are "DD", "LC", "NT", "VU", "EN", "CR", "EW", "EX", "LR/lc", "LR/nt", "LR/cd".
When querying for "LR/lc", "LR/nt" or "LR/cd" categories, you must omit the slash character. For example: "LR/lc" becomes "LRlc", and the query is as follows:To get information about individual species via its name, or a synonym.
/api/v3/species/:name?token='YOUR TOKEN'
Replace :name with the name of the species, or a synonym.
Example: obtaining information on a species level
/api/v3/species/:name/region/:region_identifier?token='YOUR TOKEN'
For regional assessments, replace the optional :region_identifier parameter with the region identifier.
Example: Fratercula arctica (European assessment)
Note: A full list of region identifiers can be obtained using the regions endpoint.
| scientific_name | |
| kingdom | |
| phylum | |
| class | |
| order | |
| family | |
| genus | |
| main_common_name | This is the primary name by which the species has been tagged in the Red List |
| authority | |
| published_year | |
| category | The species Red List category |
| criteria | |
| marine_system | True is the species is marine |
| freshwater_system | |
| terrestrial_system | |
| aoo_km2 | |
| eoo_km2 | |
| elevation_upper | |
| elevation_lower | |
| depth_upper | |
| depth_lower | |
| assessor | Assessors who carried out the assessment |
| reviewer | |
| errata_flag | true if the assessment is an errata assessment |
| errata_reason | The reason for the errata change, if applicable |
| amended_flag | true if the assessment is an errata assessment |
| amended_reason | The reason for the amended change, if applicable |
To get information about individual species:
/api/v3/species/id/:id?token='YOUR TOKEN'
Replace :id with the ID of the species, which can be obtained from the full list of species.
Example: obtaining information on a species level using the ID
/api/v3/species/id/:id/region/:region_identifier?token='YOUR TOKEN'
For regional assessments, replace the optional :region_identifier parameter with the region identifier.
Example: Fratercula arctica (European assessment)
Note: A full list of region identifiers can be obtained using the regions endpoint.
| scientific_name | |
| kingdom | |
| phylum | |
| class | |
| order | |
| family | |
| genus | |
| main_common_name | This is the primary name by which the species has been tagged in the Red List |
| authority | |
| published_year | |
| category | The species Red List category |
| criteria | |
| marine_system | True is the species is marine |
| freshwater_system | |
| terrestrial_system | |
| aoo_km2 | |
| eoo_km2 | |
| elevation_upper | |
| elevation_lower | |
| depth_upper | |
| depth_lower | |
| assessor | Assessors who carried out the assessment |
| reviewer | |
| errata_flag | true if the assessment is an errata assessment |
| errata_reason | The reason for the errata change, if applicable |
| amended_flag | true if the assessment is an errata assessment |
| amended_reason | The reason for the amended change, if applicable |
To get narrative information about individual species. Please be aware that the text contains HTML markup in some places for formatting purposes.
/api/v3/species/narrative/:name?token='YOUR TOKEN'
Replace :name with the name of the species.
Example: obtaining information on a species level
/api/v3/species/narrative/:name/region/:region_identifier?token='YOUR TOKEN'
For regional assessments, replace the optional :region_identifier parameter with the region identifier.
Example: Fratercula arctica (European assessment)
Note: A full list of region identifiers can be obtained using the regions endpoint.
| species_id | |
| TaxonomicNotes | |
| Rationale | |
| GeographicRange | |
| Population | |
| Population Trend | |
| Habitat | |
| Threats | |
| ConservationMeasures | Conservation measures text |
| UseTrade |
To get narrative information about individual species. Please be aware that the text contains HTML markup in some places for formatting purposes.
/api/v3/species/narrative/id/:id?token='YOUR TOKEN'
Replace :id with the ID of the species, which can be obtained from the full list of species.
Example: obtaining information on a species level
/api/v3/species/narrative/id/:id/region/:region_identifier?token='YOUR TOKEN'
For regional assessments, replace the optional :region_identifier parameter with the region identifier.
Example: Balaena mysticetus (European assessment)
Note: A full list of region identifiers can be obtained using the regions endpoint.
| species_id | |
| TaxonomicNotes | |
| Rationale | |
| GeographicRange | |
| Population | |
| PopulationTrend | |
| Habitat | |
| Threats | |
| ConservationMeasures | Conservation measures text |
| UseTrade |
Can be used to either gain information about synonyms via an accepted species name, or vice versa i.e. this call tells you if there are synonyms for the species name, or whether it's a synonym of an accepted name
/api/v3/species/synonym/:name?token='YOUR TOKEN'
Example #1: obtaining synonyms for "Loxodonta Africana"
Example #2: obtaining the accepted name for "Felis pardus"
| name | Species queried |
| count | number of records returned |
| result.accepted_id | Accepted species ID |
| result.accepted_name | Accepted scientific name |
| result.authority | Authority for accepted scientific name |
| result.synonym | Synonym scientific name |
| result.syn_authority | Synonym authority |
To get the list of common names per species:
/api/v3/species/common_names/:name?token='YOUR TOKEN'
Replace :name with the name of the species.
Example: Common names for Loxodonta Africana
| name | scientific name used for the search |
| result[taxonmame] | Common name |
| result[primary] | if true, then this is the main common name used for that species |
| result[language] | the language of the common name e.g. eng = English, fre = french, spa = spanish |
To get a list of countries of occurrence by species name.
/api/v3/species/countries/name/:name?token='YOUR TOKEN'
Replace :name with the name of the species.
Example: All countries of occurrence for Loxodonta africana
/api/v3/species/countries/name/:name/region/:region_identifier?token='YOUR TOKEN'
For regional assessments, replace the optional :region_identifier parameter with the region identifier.
Example: Ursus maritimus (European assessment)
Note: A full list of region identifiers can be obtained using the regions endpoint.
| code | Country code |
| country | Country name |
| presence | Is/was the species in this area |
| origin | Why/how the species is in this area |
| distribution_code | Different combinations of the presence, origin and seasonality codes are used to create legends for the final distribution map. |
To get a list of countries of occurrence by species ID.
/api/v3/species/countries/id/:id?token='YOUR TOKEN'
Replace :id with the ID of the species, which can be obtained from the full list of species.
Example: All countries of occurrence for Loxodonta africana
/api/v3/species/countries/id/:id/region/:region_identifier?token='YOUR TOKEN'
For regional assessments, replace the optional :region_identifier parameter with the region identifier.
Example: Ursus maritimus (European assessment)
Note: A full list of region identifiers can be obtained using the regions endpoint.
| code | Country code |
| country | Country name |
| presence | Is/was the species in this area (check the IUCN Red List website for more information) |
| origin | Why/how the species is in this area (check the IUCN Red List website for more information) |
| distribution_code | Different combinations of the presence, origin and seasonality codes are used to create legends for the final distribution map. |
To get a list of historical assessments by species name (including the current listing).
/api/v3/species/history/name/:name?token='YOUR TOKEN'
Replace :name with the name of the species.
Example: All historical assessments for Loxodonta africana
/api/v3/species/history/name/:name/region/:region_identifier?token='YOUR TOKEN'
For regional assessments, replace the optional :region_identifier parameter with the region identifier.
Example: Ursus maritimus (European assessment)
Note: A full list of region identifiers can be obtained using the regions endpoint.
| year | Publication year |
| code | Red List category code |
| category | Red list category |
To get a list of historical assessments by species ID (including the current listing).
/api/v3/species/history/id/:id?token='YOUR TOKEN'
Replace :id with the ID of the species, which can be obtained from the full list of species.
Example: All historical assessments for Loxodonta africana
/api/v3/species/history/id/:id/region/:region_identifier?token='YOUR TOKEN'
For regional assessments, replace the optional :region_identifier parameter with the region identifier.
Example: Ursus maritimus (European assessment)
Note: A full list of region identifiers can be obtained using the regions endpoint.
| year | Publication year |
| code | Red List category code |
| category | Red list category |
Species threat information, either by species ID or species name
To get a list of threats by species name. Please refer to the Threat classification scheme to learn more.
/api/v3/threats/species/name/:name?token='YOUR TOKEN'
Replace :name with the name of the species.
Example: All threats for Loxodonta africana
/api/v3/threats/species/:name/region/:region_identifier?token='YOUR TOKEN'
For regional assessments, replace the optional :region_identifier parameter with the region identifier.
Example: Fratercula arctica (European assessment)
Note: A full list of region identifiers can be obtained using the regions endpoint.
| code | Threat code - see classification on Red List website |
| Threat | threat type |
| Timing | |
| Scope | |
| Severity | |
| Score | |
| Invasive |
To get a list of threats by species ID. Please refer to the Threat classification scheme to learn more.
/api/v3/threats/species/id/:id?token='YOUR TOKEN'
Replace :id with the ID of the species, which can be obtained from the full list of species.
Example: All threats for Loxodonta africana
/api/v3/threats/species/id/:id/region/:region_identifier?token='YOUR TOKEN'
For regional assessments, replace the optional :region_identifier parameter with the region identifier.
Example: Balaena mysticetus (European assessment)
Note: A full list of region identifiers can be obtained using the regions endpoint.
| code | threat code - see classification on Red List website |
| threat | threat type |
| Timing | |
| Scope | |
| Severity | |
| Score | |
| Invasive |
Species habitat information, either by species ID or species name
To get a list of habitats by species name. Please refer to the Habitat classification scheme to learn more
/api/v3/habitats/species/name/:name?token='YOUR TOKEN'
Replace :name with the name of the species.
Example: All habitats for Loxodonta africana
/api/v3/habitats/species/name/:name/region/:region_identifier?token='YOUR TOKEN'
For regional assessments, replace the optional :region_identifier parameter with the region identifier.
Example: Ursus maritimus (European assessment)
Note: A full list of region identifiers can be obtained using the regions endpoint.
| code | habitat code - see classification on Red List website |
| habitat | habitat type |
| suitability | |
| season | |
| majorimportance |
To get a list of habitats by species ID. Please refer to the Habitat classification scheme to learn more.
/api/v3/habitats/species/id/:id?token='YOUR TOKEN'
Replace :id with the ID of the species, which can be obtained from the full list of species.
Example: All habitats for Loxodonta africana
/api/v3/habitats/species/id/:id/region/:region_identifier?token='YOUR TOKEN'
For regional assessments, replace the optional :region_identifier parameter with the region identifier.
Example: Ursus maritimus (European assessment)
Note: A full list of region identifiers can be obtained using the regions endpoint.
| code | habitat code - see classification on Red List website |
| habitat | habitat type |
| suitability | |
| season | |
| majorimportance |
Species conservation measures information, either by species ID or species name
To get a list of conservation actions by species name. Please refer to the Measures classification scheme to learn more.
/api/v3/measures/species/name/:name?token='YOUR TOKEN'
Replace :name with the name of the species.
Example: All measures for Loxodonta africana
/api/v3/measures/species/name/:name/region/:region_identifier?token='YOUR TOKEN'
For regional assessments, replace the optional :region_identifier parameter with the region identifier.
Example: Ursus maritimus (European assessment)
Note: A full list of region identifiers can be obtained using the regions endpoint.
| code | Cons. measure code - see classification on Red List website |
| Measure | Conservation measure type |
To get a list of conservation measures by species ID. Please refer to the Measures classification scheme to learn more.
/api/v3/measures/species/id/:id?token='YOUR TOKEN'
Replace :id with the ID of the species, which can be obtained from the full list of species.
Example: All measures for Loxodonta africana
/api/v3/measures/species/id/:id/region/:region_identifier?token='YOUR TOKEN'
For regional assessments, replace the optional :region_identifier parameter with the region identifier.
Example: Ursus maritimus (European assessment)
Note: A full list of region identifiers can be obtained using the regions endpoint.
| code | measure code - see classification on Red List website |
| Measure | Conservation measure type |
Plant growth forms information, either by species ID or species name
To get a list of plant growth forms by species name. Please refer to the plant growth forms classification scheme to learn more.
/api/v3/growth_forms/species/name/:name?token='YOUR TOKEN'
Replace :name with the name of the species.
Example: All plant growth forms for Mucuna bracteata
/api/v3/growth_forms/species/name/:name/region/:region_identifier?token='YOUR TOKEN'
For regional assessments, replace the optional :region_identifier parameter with the region identifier.
Example: Quercus robur (European assessment)
Note: A full list of region identifiers can be obtained using the regions endpoint.
| name | Plant growth form |
To get a list of plant growth forms by species ID. Please refer to the plant growth forms classification scheme to learn more.
/api/v3/growth_forms/species/id/:id?token='YOUR TOKEN'
Replace :id with the ID of the species, which can be obtained from the full list of species.
Example: All plant growth forms for Mucuna bracteata
/api/v3/growth_forms/species/id/:id/region/:region_identifier?token='YOUR TOKEN'
For regional assessments, replace the optional :region_identifier parameter with the region identifier.
Example: Quercus robur (European assessment)
Note: A full list of region identifiers can be obtained using the regions endpoint.
| name | Plant growth form |
Information about comprehensive groups
To get a list of comprehensive groups:
/api/v3/comp-group/list?token='YOUR TOKEN'
To get a list of species by comprehensive group:
/api/v3/comp-group/getspecies/:group?token='YOUR TOKEN'
Replace :group with the code of the comprehensive group for which you want the list of species
| taxonid | |
| scientific_name | Scientific name of the species |
| subspecies | only filled if it's a subspecies/variety/form |
| rank | will be of form spp, var, for |
| subpopulation | |
| category | The Red List category |
Please use the end-points/ API calls below to link the IUCN Red List website, as we can then make sure that if the website links are changing, this will not affect your application.
NOTE: If you are linking to the Red List website directly, then you need to make sure that your application is updated accordingly!
To obtain the direct link of the species on the Red List website - please don't use this link in a document/report/publication as the species ID might change, and therefore will invalidate the link if used as such:
/api/v3/weblink/:name
Replace :name with the name of the species.
To be redirected to the Red List website page for this species, please use this method. This method is to be used if you want to include a link to a species page in a report or publication. This then makes sure that if internal IDs for the species are changing, it will not affect your report:
/api/v3/website/:name
Replace :name with the name of the species.
To be redirected to the Red List website page for this species, based on its ID, please use this method. This method is for Global species assessments only. This method is to be used if you want to include a link to a species page in a report or publication. This then makes sure that if internal URLs for the species are changing, it will not affect your report:
/api/v3/taxonredirect/:taxonID
Replace :taxonID with the ID of the species.
To be redirected to the Red List website page for this species, based on its ID, and specific Region, please use this method. See here for list of regions. This method is to be used if you want to include a link to a species page in a report or publication. This then makes sure that if internal URLs for the species are changing, it will not affect your report:
/api/v3/taxonredirect/:taxonID/:region_identifier
Replace :taxonID with the ID of the species.
Example: finding the web-link for Bombus ruderatus assessment for Europe
Example: finding the web-link for Panthera Leo global assessment
