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The Dodo, Raphus cucullatus (1758)

Phylum : Chordata Class : Aves Order : Columbiformes Family : Columbidae Subfamily : Raphidae Genus : Raphus Species : R. cucullarus

Extinct in 1662 (Holocene to recent)

1 m tall and 20 kg (size)

Mauritius (map)

Little is known of the behaviour of the dodo, as most contemporary descriptions are very brief. Based on weight estimates, it has been suggested the male could reach the age of 21, and the female 17. Studies of the cantilever strength of its leg bones indicate that it could run quite fast. The legs were robust and strong to support the bulk of the bird, and also made it agile and manoeuvrable in the dense, pre-human landscape. Though the wings were small, well-developed muscle scars on the bones show that they were not completely vestigial, and may have been used for display behaviour and balance; extant pigeons also use their wings for such purposes. Unlike the Rodrigues solitaire, there is no evidence that the dodo used its wings in intraspecific combat. Though some dodo bones have been found with healed fractures, it had weak pectoral muscles and more reduced wings in comparison. The dodo may instead have used its large, hooked beak in territorial disputes. Since Mauritius receives more rainfall and has less seasonal variation than Rodrigues, which would have affected the availability of resources on the island, the dodo would have less reason to evolve aggressive territorial behaviour. The Rodrigues solitaire was therefore probably the more aggressive of the two.

The preferred habitat of the dodo is unknown, but old descriptions suggest that it inhabited the woods on the drier coastal areas of south and west Mauritius. This view is supported by the fact that the Mare aux Songes swamp, where most dodo remains have been excavated, is close to the sea in south-eastern Mauritius.Such a limited distribution across the island could well have contributed to its extinction. A 1601 map from the Gelderland journal shows a small island off the coast of Mauritius where dodos were caught. Julian Hume has suggested this island was l’île aux Benitiers in Tamarin Bay, on the west coast of Mauritius. Subfossil bones have also been found inside caves in highland areas, indicating that it once occurred on mountains. Work at the Mare aux Songes swamp has shown that its habitat was dominated by tambalacoque and Pandanus trees and endemic palms. The near-coastal placement and wetness of the Mare aux Songes led to a high diversity of plant species, whereas the surrounding areas were drier.

Episode 48 overall  

( This episode takes place before ‘The Secret Museum of Kung Fu’, since the Lin Kuei are introduced as new characters )

Synopsis:

Crane’s overprotective mom visits the Valley of Peace. Crane reveals to Po that his mom hates Kung Fu so he promised her that he would never have anything to do with it. He also told her that he runs an Inn at the Jade Palace. Crane asks Po and the others to help him keep his secret from his mom. 

Characters:

Now that’s a Crane focused episode. It’s nice to see him score a big win.

Just like pretty much everybody, Crane’s mother thought he’s too weak and delicate to fight. I was expecting that those heart problems are just an act by his mother to guilt-trip Crane into not fighting. I’m actually glad it was her being proud. Makes it much more wholesome. She’s a good mother, only a little bit too much infantilizing her son.

Nice episode.

Villains: Heilang and the Lin Kuei are wolfs. This episode come out after Kung Fu Panda 2 so it’s not surprising they used models from that movie. They’re more competent than Fung and his Croc bandits. I wonder what they’re going to do next.

Entelodonts are their own worst enemy.

Entelodonts are their own worst enemy.

When yer captain gets stuck on the mast because he’s scared of heights so you have to coerce him down

Entelodonts are their own worst enemy.

Uncle Grandpas list