Buzz
Extinction is a natural process, but that doesn't diminish the importance of biodiversity on Earth. While human activities are often a major contributor to the loss of species, they are not the sole factor. Here are 10 lesser-known species that once roamed the Earth but are now extinct.
10. Sivathere
The Sivathere was an unusual mammal, resembling a mix between a giraffe and a horse. Its lineage was a distant branch of the giraffe family. The largest known specimen stood 2.2 meters tall and, like giraffes, it was a herbivore. Its skull was notably heavy, requiring strong neck muscles for support. The horns, which resembled those of a giraffe but were more prominent, were thought to signify dominance during mating season, with males engaging in headbutting contests to win a mate.
Details surrounding their extinction are vague, but it is commonly believed that climate change and increased competition with other ungulates eventually led to their downfall. They disappeared as recently as 5,000 years ago.
9. Quinkana
The Quinkana, a crocodile species native to Australia and the South Pacific, had a distinct body shape compared to modern crocodiles. Although no limb bones of this ancient reptile have been found, evidence from other crocodile species of the time suggests they had relatively long legs. This adaptation made them more suited for life on land rather than in water, marking them as one of the many land-dwelling crocodiles of the era. While not built for speed, they were still a formidable predator.
This reptile is believed to have grown up to 3 meters in length, making it well-suited to hunt the megafauna of its time. As a land-dweller, however, it couldn't drag its prey into the water, so it is thought that the Quinkana focused on smaller creatures. Its curved teeth were ideal for slashing. While the exact time of its extinction is unclear, it likely disappeared around the same time as Australia’s other megafauna, coinciding with the arrival of humans and changes in the climate.
8. Quelili
This striking bird was native only to Guadalupe Island. A highly effective predator, it likely reigned as the top predator on the island for many thousands of years. Though not the best flier, it spent much of its time preying on animals that were easy to overpower, such as mice and small birds. Its limited flying ability likely led it to scavenge when opportunities arose.
The bird was known to perform intricate displays, and since modern South American Caracas species are generally solitary, it remains uncertain whether these displays were meant to signify dominance, courtship, or communication within a group. The Quelili faced increasing difficulties as humans arrived on the island, bringing with them goats. The birds were quickly labeled as goat kid predators, which led to their relentless hunting and eventual extinction. The last sighting of the species was recorded in 1901.
7. Warrah
The Warrah, also known as the Falkland Island Fox, is one of the few mammal species native to the Falkland Islands. Its classification remains uncertain, as it displays characteristics of both foxes and wolves. With a head resembling that of a wolf and a thick furry tail like a fox, it also dug dens, similar to foxes. The Warrah measured approximately 1.6 meters in length, twice the size of a red fox, but stood only around 60 cm tall due to its short legs.
The Warrah flourished on the islands due to the absence of natural competitors until humans arrived. Along with them came sheep, and the Warrah, like many canine species, began to prey on them. This led to conflict with farmers, who hunted the Warrah to extinction, fueled by the belief that they drained the blood of their prey. The last known Warrah was killed in 1876.
6. Cuban Giant Owl
Native to Cuba, this owl spent much of its life on the ground due to its impressive size. Despite its bulk, it could still perform short flights, resembling the flight patterns of a turkey. Like other owls, it possessed extraordinary hearing and sight, enabling it to hunt undetected in low light. Some have speculated that it was also a capable runner, able to chase down prey before capturing it.
This owl surpassed most contemporary owls, standing at an impressive height of 1 meter. It also weighed twice as much as the heaviest owl species alive today. As with many other extinct species, human activity led to its downfall. Being a large, land-dwelling bird made it an easy target for hunters, and the introduction of animals like rats by humans likely devastated their nests. The Cuban giant owl is believed to have vanished around 8,000 years ago.
5. Pig-footed Bandicoot
No larger than a kitten, this small marsupial roamed the Australian outback. Its most distinctive feature was its unique feet and legs: spindly legs with pig-like feet, also known as fleet sheet feet, which it used for walking. The pig-footed bandicoot was both swift and possessed remarkable stamina, enabling it to run for extended periods.
The most fascinating aspect of this species' extinction is the way it occurred. Their decline began when Europeans began to settle in Australia, and the last known specimen was collected in 1901, though some believe it may have survived until the 1950s. The intriguing part of the story involves a zoologist named Gerard Krefft, who set out to find the now-extinct pig-footed bandicoot. With help from the Aborigines, he located a pair of the bandicoots and documented their behavior for a time, but after getting lost, he ended up eating both specimens.
4. American Cheetah
The American cheetah bore several similarities to the African cheetah, looking remarkably similar due to a phenomenon known as convergent evolution, where unrelated species evolve to resemble each other. However, the American cheetah had some distinct differences. It was about 10 kg heavier, had fully retractable claws, and sturdier forelimbs compared to its African counterpart. These differences suggest that the American cheetah was not as specialized for running as the African species.
Like many of America's predators, the American cheetah became extinct due to a combination of climate change, dwindling food sources, and the encroachment of humans. The last known individuals are believed to have survived around 10,000 years ago.
3. Haast’s Eagle
If you thought the moa was large, meet its predator, the Haast’s eagle. This colossal bird of prey was specifically adapted to hunt the moa it shared its environment with. With a wingspan of about 2.6 meters and a height of 1.1 meters, it also boasted talons that reached up to 7 cm. It is believed to have attacked its prey by diving at it with tremendous force, knocking the moa off its feet. If the impact didn't kill it, the eagle’s massive talons would cause severe internal injuries, often resulting in death.
The extinction of its prey led to the demise of the Haast’s eagle. The arrival of humans, who hunted the moa and destroyed the eagle’s habitat, contributed to the eagle’s extinction, which occurred roughly 500 years ago.
2. Moa
Often confused with the elephant bird, the moa species consisted of 10-15 distinct types, with some reaching sizes even greater than the elephant bird. Native to New Zealand, where mammals were absent, the moa thrived in this environment without competition. They evolved to become massive, losing the need for flight. The largest species was a staggering 4 meters tall and may have weighed as much as 275 kg. The size of one of their eggs was believed to be equivalent to about 100 chicken eggs.
The arrival of humans on the islands marked the beginning of the moa’s downfall. These birds, with their slow breeding habits, were unable to keep up with the threat posed by human hunters. They took several years to reach sexual maturity, which only worsened their vulnerability. The combination of human intervention and habitat destruction led to the moa's extinction, likely around the 1500s.
1. Du
Living on an island free from predators had its advantages, particularly for birds that no longer had to rely on flight for survival. The du, a mysterious bird, is shrouded in uncertainty regarding its appearance. It's often compared to the malleefowl, which, like the du, created massive mounds as nests. The du's nests were massive constructions, sometimes reaching up to 5 meters in height and extending across 50 meters. These ancient nests, some over 4,000 years old, are the main remnants of the du's existence.
The fate of the du follows a familiar pattern seen in many peaceful herbivores on islands without predators. The most plausible cause of the du's extinction is the arrival of humans on the Australian islands. With no natural predators, the du was an easy target, and this giant bird disappeared around 1,500 years ago.
