Mauritius is part of the Mascarene Islands, a small archipelago formed by the Réunion hotspot. This volcanic zone has been active over the last 65 million years and is responsible for creating the island of Mauritius 8 to 10 million years ago. It also formed the islands of Rodrigues and Réunion 2 million years ago.
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Raphus cucllatus - The dodo was first sighted by Portuguese sailors in 1507. They described it as a sluggish bird and not afraid of humans. It was a flightless bird, slightly larger than a turkey, and weighing a hefty 23 kilos. The dodo is one of three species making up the family Raphidae. The last recorded sighting of the dodo occurred in 1681. The two other members of the Raphidae family, the Réunion and Rodrigues solitaire, also became extinct. The dodo disappeared less than 100 years after their first encounter with humans.
