Raphus cucullatus, the Dodo bird, is an adorable and lovable flightless bird that succumbed to the wild colonization of man. Dutch sailors first recorded the existence of the bird in 1598 on the island of Mauritius, which is east of Madagascar. Over the course of the next century, hunting by sailors and invasive species drove it to extinction less than one hundred years after the first encounter. Unfortunately for the dodo, humanity's selfish desire for land and comfort clashed with the natural order of Mauritius, endting this beautiful species. Its extinction has helped call attention to humanity's growing involvement in species extinction worldwide. The dodo inhabited the woodland areas around the coastline of Mauritius. Early accounts of by the Dutch detail the bird's behavior. It was herbivorous, feeding on nuts, seeds, bulbs, and fruit. Though flightless, its small wings were likely used for display and balance. Its robust legs were strong and allowed it to move and maneuver swiftly. It had an intense bite for such an adorable animal, which it used for defense. Due to its unflinching nature, the settlers believed the bird to be stupid or fearless. To some, the dodo's meat was unpalatable, but others viewed it favorably despite toughness.