The Dodo (Raphus cucullatus) is an extinct species of bird native to the island of Mauritus. They
were a flightless bird, the main reason being there rather heavy weight for a bird. Most of their
appearance is speculation as there are few accounts or depictions of what they looked like. A single
specimen remained from the past; a preserved head with some tissue and a few feathers.
Dodos would swallow small stones to help their digestion. The rocks would sit in
their stomach and help grind the berries, crabs, and nuts they ate in order to get the most
nutrients
possible. They later pass the stones after digesting their food.
Throughout history, people have struggled trying to classify and identify this species. The first
documentation of dodos was 1598. During the Second Dutch Expedition, Dutch Vice Admiral Wybrand Van
Warwijck mentioned the bird in his journal. From then they were considered a myth, then classified as
pigeons, and now to where we are today.
When Dutch sailors originally landed on the coast of the island, they hunted the birds for food. A
number were taken back on the ship as provisions for the rest of their journey. A few were also sent
back to Europe and India, but it is unknown how many actually survived the trip.
Dodobirds most likely nested on the ground. They had no natural predators on their
secluded island. Dodos were also very slow, their size and weight didn't allow for speed or flight.
Any other environment and these birds would be an easy target for a hungry predator.
How did the Dodos die out?
The dodos were unafraid of the humans when first encountered. This along with their inability to escape
made them easy meals for starving sailors. The explorers also brought along dogs, rats, crab-eating
monkeys, and other invasive species. These animals would eat the eggs of the dodos in their nests on the
ground. They would also compete for the same food sources as the dodos.
All this would eventually lead to the dodos extinction in the late 1600s. The last confirmed sighting of
the species was in 1662. It is speculated that the dodo was already a low population animal before
contact with humans, which would explain their fast decline in numbers in under 100 years. It didn't
take too much for the ecosystem to change rapidly, and the dodos couldn't
adapt.
Animal Facts:
- Size: 2-2.5 ft tall
- Weight: 23-39 lb
- Age: Estimated to almost 21 years
- Territory: Mauritius Island, off the coast of Africa and Madagascar
