Colonization and Animals - John Raichel

Extinct Animals in the Americas

100

Native to Pinta Island, this species of ____ was famous for it's last living individual, Lonesome George. Having been exploited and their habitat destroyed, in 1960 some farmers released goats into the habitat of the last few specimens. The slow moving animals died except for George, and George lived out his days alone until passing peacefully in 2012.

What is a tortoise?

200

Hunted for their oil by European explorers, this was the only species of this animal native to the Carribean Sea. Large mammals, growing to almost 10 feet and 600 lbs., they hunted for fish and would sunbathe on beaches. Their last sighting was in 1952 and they were declared extinct in 2008.

What is the Carribean Monk Seal?

300

At the beginning of European colonization, scientists estimate this bird's population was between 3 and 5 billion in America. Often referenced by early explorers of America, by the end of the 1800s they were nearly gone. The last known member of the species, named Martha, died in 1914.

What is the Passenger Pigeon?

400

A bit smaller than it's close relatives in the USA and Canada, this fearsome mammal lived in Mexico. Considered a pest by early colonizers because of their penchant for eating cattle, they were hunted and killed for years. Expansion of farms in its habitat caused its final extinction, until the 1960s, and it was declared officially extinct in 1982. 

What is the Mexican Grizzly Bear?

500

Living on the East coast of the USA, this semi-aquatic bird's extinction was a mystery. The last sighting of them was in 1875, on Long Island. They were not a hunting target, so they likely died off of some sort of habitat destruction. Some suspect it's primary food source of mollusks was disturbed, and it died off as a result

What is the Labrador Duck?

Extinct Animals not in America

100

Native to the island of Mauritius, this animal was first recorded in the 1500's, and was decimated by sailors who found them easy prey. This feathered friend was easily hunted by humans, dogs, and even pigs brought to the island by humans. They were last seen in 1660.

What is the Dodo?

200

This extinct marsupial was native to Australia, however went extinct on the mainland ~2000 years ago. Populations existed on Tasmania well after, though settlers clearing of land caused the population to decline to nothing. The last one died in 1936.

What is the Tasmanian Tiger/Thylacine?

300

Heavily related to this animal, the Quagga had a fun stripe pattern, and roamed the African grasslands. They went extinct in the 1880's due to excessive hunting.

What is a zebra?

400

Also called the Chinese River _____, the Baiji was native to the Yangtze River. Once the river became more populated with ships and humans, their echolocation was no longer as effective. The last wild one was seen in 2002, and while they are declared extinct, some speculate they could still be alive.

What is a Dolphin?

500

The Auroch was a large, herbivorous mammal, native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. Unlike their docile ____ descendants, this animal was renowned for it's aggression. With their big horns, and massive size, this animal was intimidating game. Officially declared extinct ~1627, their extinction was likely due to over hunting, habitat destruction for agriculture, and disease.

What is cattle/cows/bulls?

Pets in the Colonies

100

The most iconic pet of all, colonists were no different with their love of these animals. George Washington himself was especially a connoisseur, taking pride in his knowledge of different breeds, and even wrote to a british general that he'd found his pet and wished to return it when it was found after a battle. (Though he might've done it just to get a close view of the enemy, not out of his respect for this pet.)

What is a dog?

200

Prior to the 18th century, they were seen as pest control. Often associated with pagans, they were not mentioned once in the Bible, and as such were treated as suspicious. This changed by the time of the American Revolution and they soon became the beloved house pet they are today.

What is the cat?

300

This horned animal was strangely seen inside colonial homes. Domesticated, they even wore collars and leashes. It wasn't unusual to see one even being taken for a walk. Dr. Benjamin Jones in Virginia even trained over 100 of them, and let them loose in his garden to entertain guests at parties.

What is a deer?

400

Trained to catch game that fell into water, these marine mammals were popular with men and boys. Fishermen even trained them to dive under the water and bring back fish. Sadly, they are no longer a mainstay pet, dam.

What is a beaver/otter?

500

This pet was at first seen as a cute house guest. However, even once domesticated, they couldn't keep their grubby (paws? hands?) out of the pantry. They also often killed the family's chickens, ending their time as a pet. They soon became seen as purely a nuisance and pest.

What is a raccoon?

Animals introduced by Colonizers

100

Largely believed to be introduced to the Americas by the conquistador Hernán Cortés, this animal was a major advantage for the Europeans against the indigenous people. This swift animal quickly dominated the continent, and can be found wild or domesticated pretty much anywhere.

What is a horse?

200

An absolute terror to indigenous people, local flora, and animals, this mammal was introduced by the Spanish. Originally introduced for domestication and farming, escaped specimens established a wild population in the Americas. Regardless, this animal was an incredible food source, and are still bred and farmed today.

What is a pig?

300

Brought to the Carribean by Columbus himself, these massive herbivores are iconic. Consistently brought to America on every trip by Europeans, they were a necessity for farming. While they themselves aren't necessarily disruptive due to their mellow nature, the space required to breed and farm them is a massive driver of habitat loss.

What is a cow/cattle?

400

Brought to the New World in 1492, they were only brought to the American mainland in 1519 by Cortés. A mainstay in farms today, this pale mammal was technically present in the Americas prior to colonization, however this specific species for farming came with baaaaaad consequences for the ecosystem, mainly in regards to habitat clearing.

What is a sheep?

500

This mammal wasn't introduced until the 17th century, and all different breeds were brought to the Americas. Useful for their milk, meat, and hide, these animals are known for eating anything and everything. They are known for devestating a few ecosystems, especially island habitats. In fact, some might call them the Greatest Of All Time at extincting species. 

What is the Goat?

Lewis & Clark's Descriptions

100

 “not being able alone to take deer or goat they are rarely ever found alone but hunt in bands; they frequently watch and seize their prey near their burrows… they are of an intermediate size between that of the fox and dog, very active fleet and delicately formed; the ears large erect and pointed the head long and pointed more like that of the fox; tale long; . . . the hair and fur also resembles the fox tho’ is much coarser and inferior. they are of a pale redish brown colour.” Merriweather Lewis

What is a coyote?

200

 “...discovered a Village of Small animals that burrow in the grown (those animals are Called by the French Pitite Chien) Killed one & Cought one a live by poreing a great quantity of water in his hole… the Village of those animals Covs. about 4 acrs of Ground on a Gradual decent of a hill and Contains great numbers of holes on the top of which those little animals Set erect make a Whistleing noise and whin allarmed Slip into their hole.” Merriweather Lewis

What is the Prairie Dog

300

“‘His Shape & Size is like that of a Beaver, his head mouth &c. is like a Dogs with Short Ears, his Tail and Hair like that of a Ground Hog, and longer, and lighter.    his Inter[n]als like the interals of a Hog.’ His Skin thick and loose, his Belly is White and the Hair Short—    a white Streek from his nose to his Sholders. The toe nails of his fore feet is one Inch & ¾ long, & feet large; the nails of his hind feet ¾ of an Inch long, the hind feet Small and toes Crooked, his legs are Short and when he Moves Just Suffcent to raise his body above the Ground.” William Clark

What is a badger?

400

“the Indians give a very formidable account of the strength and ferocity of this anamal, which they never dare to attack but in parties of six, eight or ten persons; and are even then frequently defeated with the loss of one or more of their party…  it was a most tremendious looking anamal, and extreemly hard to kill notwithstanding he had five balls through his lungs and five others in various parts… Capt. Clark thought he would weigh 500 lbs. for my own part I think the estimate to small by 100 lbs. He measured 8 Feet 7-1/2 Inches from nose to extremity of the hind feet…” Merriweather Lewis

What is a Grizzly Bear?

500

"Those animals… run & Skiped about with great ease on this declivity & appeared to prefur it to the leavel bottom or plain.” William Clark

“The horns are lagest at their base, and occupy the crown of the head almost entirely.    they are compressed, bent backwards and lunated” - Merriweather Lewis

What is a Bighorn Sheep?