Question: how many known species of animals are there including micro species and bacteria, also at what rate are some being extinct? can entire species be extinct by a single footstep or is that farfetched. Also is it possible for entire species to come about within minutes or days? for example how fast does bacteria develop and evolve.

Joanna Cruden answered on 17 Jun 2012:

It is difficult to know as there is such a flux, but about 3 – 5 million, the rate of extinction is also difficult to put a figure on, some will become extinct naturally and some are becoming extinct because of man.

If a population is only found in one area then if you dropped a bomb or gassed them I guess it is possible to wipe out the whole species but not if you mean treading on them when you say footstep.

No it is not possible for an entire species to come about within minutes or days, I would imagine but I have not been able to find the answer for you, but I expect it takes a long time even for bacteria to develop and evolve.