Extinction occurs when a species disappears forever.
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While some extinctions happen naturally, human actions have led to the rapid loss of many animals.
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Dodo: This bird from Mauritius, went extinct in the 17th century due to hunting and the introduction of non-native animals.
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Passenger pigeon: Once abundant, it became extinct in the early 20th century due to overhunting and habitat loss.
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Tasmanian tiger: The last known Tasmanian tiger died in captivity in 1936, primarily due to hunting and disease.
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Sabre-toothed tiger: This prehistoric predator, with massive canine teeth, went extinct around 10,000 years ago, likely due to changing climates.
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Carolina parakeet: The only parrot species native to the eastern US, it became extinct by the early 20th century due to hunting and habitat destruction.
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The loss of a species can disrupt ecosystems, causing a chain reaction that impacts other plants and animals.