- 1. The extinction of the dodo, a flightless bird native to the island of Mauritius, serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of ecosystems and the profound impact human activity can have on biodiversity. The dodo, which thrived in its isolated environment, fell victim to a combination of habitat destruction and invasive species introduction following the arrival of European sailors in the late 16th century. Initially unafraid of humans, the dodo's inability to fly made it particularly vulnerable to hunting, while predatory animals like rats, pigs, and monkeys, brought in by sailors, decimated the dodo's eggs and young. Within less than a century, the dodo was extinct, a loss that reverberated through the ecological web of Mauritius. The decline of this unique bird not only highlighted the environmental consequences of introduced species but also underscored the importance of preserving natural habitats. The dodo’s extinction led to the collapse of certain ecological interactions, such as seed dispersal for specific plants that relied on the bird for their propagation. Consequently, the loss of the dodo is not just a loss of a species but also a significant disruption of an intricate ecosystem, illustrating how the interdependence of various species can be fragile and easily disrupted through human actions.
What is the scientific name of the Dodo?
A) Aptenodytes forsteri
B) Rhea americana
C) Pinguinus impennis
D) Raphus cucullatus
- 2. Where was the Dodo primarily located?
A) Mauritius
B) Reunion Island
C) Madagascar
D) Seychelles
- 3. What type of bird was the Dodo?
A) Flightless bird
B) Aquatic bird
C) Migratory bird
D) Predatory bird
- 4. What played a significant role in the Dodo's extinction?
A) Climate change
B) Human hunting and introduced species
C) Pollution
D) Natural predators
- 5. What was the primary diet of the Dodo?
A) Nectar and small mammals
B) Fruits and seeds
C) Fish and insects
D) Leaves and flowers
- 6. The last confirmed sighting of a Dodo was in which year?
A) 1650
B) 1700
C) 1662
D) 1681
- 7. What ecological role did the Dodo play on Mauritius?
A) Predator
B) Habitat builder
C) Pollinator
D) Seed disperser
- 8. In literature, the Dodo is famously featured in which book?
A) The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
B) Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
C) Robinson Crusoe
D) Moby Dick
- 9. What was a major factor in the dodo's vulnerability to extinction?
A) Strong predatory instincts
B) Lack of fear of humans
C) Ability to fly
D) Social behavior
- 10. Who was among the first to document the dodo?
A) British explorers
B) Dutch sailors
C) Portuguese traders
D) French naturalists
- 11. What year did the dodo officially become classified as extinct?
A) 1681
B) 1707
C) 1610
D) 1754
- 12. The Dodo's closest relative is believed to be the:
A) Nicobar pigeon
B) Amazon parrot
C) African grey parrot
D) Rock pigeon
- 13. Dodos are part of which bird family?
A) Columbidae
B) Accipitridae
C) Anatidae
D) Psittacidae
- 14. Which type of ecosystem was the Dodo a part of?
A) Desert
B) Temperate forest
C) Savanna
D) Tropical forest
- 15. Which of the following animals contributed to the dodo's extinction?
A) Tigers
B) Kangaroos
C) Rats
D) Hedgehogs
- 16. How many eggs did a dodo typically lay in a clutch?
A) One
B) Four
C) Three
D) Two
- 17. The dodo is often referred to as being what?
A) Endangered
B) Invasive
C) Vulnerable
D) Extinct
- 18. How tall was the dodo?
A) About 1 meter
B) 0.5 meters
C) 2 meters
D) 3 meters
- 19. The term 'Dodo' comes from a Portuguese word that means:
A) Noble
B) Flightless
C) Simpleton
D) Bird
- 20. What measures are taken to avoid future extinctions?
A) Establishing protected areas
B) Dismissing indigenous knowledge
C) Allowing free trade
D) Promoting urban development
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