The Extinction Of The Dodo Bird

The dodo was a large flightless bird that lived on the island of Mauritius.

History

• 1507 – Portuguese vessels carrying  called at Mauritius for supplies.
• 1638 – the Dutch created a  on the island.

• The birds were hunted as a source of food.

• The last known dodo was killed in 1681.

Description

• Written reports and artworks may not provide dependable evidence.

• One Dutch artwork makes the dodo appear extremely .
• The only preserved soft tissue still in existence is a .
• Study of the skeleton indicates that strong joints permitted rapid .
• Its small wings probably helped it maintain  on rough ground.
• Its  was of average size, not particularly small.
• A highly developed sense of  helped it locate food.

Reasons for extinction

• Hunting is no longer regarded as the main explanation.

• Dogs and monkeys were deliberately introduced by sailors.

•  arrived unintentionally on ships and ate the birds’ eggs.
• Agriculture resulted in the destruction of the .