DODO SKULL

The dodo (Raphus cucullatus) is, to me, one of the most fascinating extinct animals. It lived on Mauritius, an island without natural predators, and gradually lost the ability to fly. Instead, it became a sturdy, ground-dwelling bird. One of its most striking features was its large, heavy skull.

Compared to flying birds like its closest relatives, the pigeons, the dodo had a much more robust skull. Its beak was long, strong, and hooked. It was probably used to crack tough fruits and seeds. Since it didn’t need to fly, its bones were thicker and had fewer air cavities than those of flying birds.

What I found especially interesting is that brain scans show the dodo had a well-developed sense of smell, which is rare in birds. Its olfactory bulbs were large, helping it find food on the forest floor. Its eye sockets were relatively small, suggesting that sight played a lesser role in its behavior.

The dodo's skull tells a story of perfect adaptation to a peaceful environment. But those same traits made it vulnerable when humans arrived. It had no fear of people, and its eggs were quickly eaten by introduced animals such as rats and pigs. Within just a few generations, it was gone.

To me, the dodo skull is more than a fossil. It’s proof of how animals can adapt, and how fragile those adaptations can be when their world suddenly changes. The dodo reminds us how closely life and extinction are connected.