For millions of years, the Earth has been inhabited by numerous species of animals that have disappeared for various reasons: climate change, human activity or natural disasters. Some of these animals have left a significant mark on the history of our planet. In this article, we will look at five extinct species that are striking in their diversity and uniqueness.
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1. The Mauritian Dodo
The Mauritian dodo, better known as the dodo, is one of the most famous extinct species. These flightless birds lived on the island of Mauritius and were discovered by Europeans in 1598. The dodo was distinguished by its large body, long beak and short wings. Within a few decades after the arrival of humans on the island, the dodo was completely exterminated due to hunting and predators introduced to the island.
2. Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacine)
The Tasmanian tiger, or thylacine, was the largest predatory marsupial of modern times. This unique species lived in Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea. The thylacine resembled a dog with stripes on its back, hence the name “tiger”. Due to active hunting, habitat destruction and disease, the last known thylacine died at Hobart Zoo in 1936.
3. Steller’s Cow
The Steller’s cow, or hydrodamalis, was a large marine mammal that lived in the coastal waters of the Commander Islands in the Bering Sea. These animals reached up to 10 meters in length and weighed about 10 tons. They were discovered and described by the German naturalist Georg Steller in 1741. Less than 30 years after the discovery, Steller’s cow was completely exterminated due to intensive hunting.
